Introduction - Mazury Travel

Transkrypt

Introduction - Mazury Travel
A
land of lakes, forests, fields and gentle landscapes with moderate hills
concealing sleepy villages is a perfect region for cyclists. The scenery is
very diverse. It includes numerous, narrow
roads lined with old trees. Riding through
green, shaded tunnels is a real pleasure, especially that long and steep stretches are
usually rather rare. Off-season there are few
tourists in this region but in high season the
place becomes quite crowded.
Amateur cyclists have a wide choice of
hundreds of kilometers of bicycle trails,
not only around popular health resorts,
but also in the less popular calm corners
of Warmia and Mazury. Everywhere there
is something worth seeing – both natural attractions and monuments. There
are plenty of old buildings on the trails.
Among some well-known constructions
there are smaller, modest but still char­
ming buildings bearing witness to the
rich history of the region. Visiting medieval castles and temples of many religions and different epochs, investigating museums and old residences of the powerful Prussian nobility as well
as exploring mysterious fortifications from the period of World Wars I and II
– may constitute a perfect supplement for bike tours.
The environment of the Warmia and Mazury regions is a splendid world of
lakes, extensive woods, forests, mysterious swamps and peat bogs constitu­
ting a variety of habitats for many interesting animal species and rare plants.
If you are lucky enough, you can see white storks, which nest in Warmia in
great numbers, or the majestic silhouette of the sea eagle, or even hear the
characteristic clangour of the cranes... You may find glacial boulders and other
traces of glacier activity (including the main lakes) in fields and in forests.
The majority of bicycle trails are not very difficult, so no special skills are
required. Even unsurfaced roads such as forest paths are appropriate for
ordinary bikes. Also, there are many trails running along asphalt roads. There
is a choice of short hiking trails not longer than 20 km and day-long excursions up to 60 km long. Those who want to go on a few days’ expedition, may
choose between several long-distance trails.
This guide shows the most interesting and characteristic trails in every
part of the region. Making the perfect choice is easy due to short descriptions
of each trail and its attractions. Small maps are also helpful during the trip.
However, it is advisable to have exact maps of a given region as well. Once the
trail has been chosen, the bicycle checked and all the indispensable things
packed – one can boldly set off!
Introduction
Warmia and Mazury by bike
Local roads,
photo GEP Chroszcz
1
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R1 International Trail
Route: Bągart – Święty Gaj – Stare Dolno – Nowe Dolno – Dzierzgonka
– Wiśniewo – Krzewsk – Tropy Elbląskie – Raczki Elbląskie – Elbląg – Krasny
Las – Łęcze – Kadyny – Tolkmicko – Pogrodzie – Narusa – Frombork – Stępień
– Braniewo – Młoteczno – Gronowo; 85 km
Sanctuary in Święty Gaj,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Druzno Lake,
photo J. Pruszyńska
2
The trail is part of the R1 International Trail – running from the border with
Germany in Kostrzyn on the Oder to the border with Russia in Gronowo
(675 km). It starts in the flat area of the Vistula Lowlands. Next, it runs
across the Elbląg Upland and then crosses the Warmia Lowland. On the
way, one can see numerous monuments, such as Gothic churches in
Elbląg and Frombork. There are also many natural attractions including
Druzno Lake, the bird wildlife reserve, and the beech forests in the Elbląg
Upland Landscape Park.
The trail runs entirely along asphalt roads with mainly little or very little
traffic (with some exceptions of medium and heavy traffic in Elbląg).
Level of difficulty: easy
Places to see along the route:
• Święty Gaj – according to The Life of St. Wojciech, a site of
worship to the Prussian gods was located near the village in
the early Middle Ages. Supposedly St. Wojciech entered the
area of the ‘sacred grove’ and celebrated a Holy Mass there.
Several days earlier the Prussians had ordered the missionaries to leave the Prussian areas and then unexpectedly they
attacked the missionaries as they rested. St. Wojciech died
a martyr’s death having been hit with a hatchet. In 1989 St.
Wojciech’s relics were brought from Gniezno to the local
church 1 and they have been stored there ever since. The
church is of Gothic design dating back to 1399 and rebuilt
after the fire which broke out in the 19th century.
• Druzno Lake – between Nowe Dolno and Raczki
Elbląskie the trail runs close to the wet banks of a large
lake called Druzno. This extensive water area crossed by
the Elbląg Canal, is the habitat of many different bird species. The wet banks are overgrown with extensive rushes
and small, hard to reach, marshy forests. The lake is shallow and it is a perfect feeding place for many species of
waterfowl. A huge nature reserve comprises the whole of
the Druzno Lake together with a wide strip of land along
the banks – all of which amount to over 3,000 ha. Along the
embankment surrounding the lake (the water-level is situated higher than the areas nearby), there is the blue hiking
trail, which occasionally criss-crosses the R1 bicycle trail.
• Raczki Elbląskie –a small village close to the northern
bank of Druzno Lake. The trail runs close to the lowermost
point in Poland which lies 1.8 m below sea level.
• Elbląg – a harbour and a riverside city which once
Following the Mennonites
competed with Gdańsk. Although the settlement was
The flat regions on the western side of Druzno Lake are named
set up in the 1230s and gained urban rights as early as the Vistula Lowlands. The name refers to a delta created by the
in 1246, it was completely swept away as a result of war Vistula River running into the Baltic Sea. The swamps in the deloperations in 1945. For many years after the war there ta were dried and managed by religious refugees from Holland.
were merely empty squares with very few monuments Persecution in their homeland made a fraction of the Protestant
rebuilt. It was only in the 80s that the restoration of Anabaptists, supporters of the religious reformer Mennon Simthe old city began. However, the aim of the restoration mons, search for new, tolerant neighbours. Sixteenth-century
was not to create an exact reconstruction of the former Poland turned out to be a perfect place for them. Their knowledge concerning drainage and protection of areas of depression
buildings, rather just to preserve some of the features against floods, let the Mennonites cultivate a delta of the Vistula
of the previous city within the new tenement houses. river. There are still numerous relics of this interesting commuThe outcome is quite interesting, and the new streets nity, including beautiful, arcaded houses with characteristic
with a number of shops, restaurants and cafes are really timber framing, cemeteries, and hydraulic engineering devices
charming. Walking through the Old Town you should which can be found while wandering through the Lowlands
along the Mennonites route.
visit the main Gothic monuments of Elbląg.
Elbląg’s St. Nicholas Cathedral 2 prides itself
in having one of the highest church towers in Poland (97 m). The Gothic threeaisled hall was built of brick and its interior is decorated with many precious,
medieval works of art, mostly brought from other local, historical churches.
Apart from the cathedral and churches in Elbląg there are the remains of the
city walls and the 16th century Market Gate 3 . It is possible to go up the
gate tower and look at the Old Town (ul. Stary Rynek) from the top.
• Kadyny – a place beautifully situated at the foot of the Elbląg Upland by
the Vistula Lagoon. The village is known for its original, standardized buildings and the former palace of the German emperor William II 4 .
The royal family took over the estate and its goods in 1898. In the following
years both the palace and the whole village were rebuilt and developed.
Nowadays, part of the residence – the former factory of majolica (fine-glazed
earthenware) and palatial annexes – has been turned into a hotel. There is
also the huge Bażyński’s Oak 5 in Kadyny. The tree, at least 700-years
old, was named after Jan Bażyński, the owner of Kadyny in the 15th century
and the leader of the Prussian Confederation opposing the Teutonic Knights.
• Frombork – raised above the town ashore the Vistula Lagoon, there is the
Cathedral Hill. Its flattened top is surrounded by defense walls with numerous
St. Nicholas Cathedral in Elbląg,
towers. The entrance runs across a wooden bridge over a dry moat and the photo D. Zaród
foundations of the former barbican, then straight through a large gate made
of two cylindrical, interconnected towers. Inside the walls there is a splendid,
vast Gothic cathedral 6 . This three-aisled hall building (all aisles of
an equal height) was constructed between 1329–1388. It houses numerous
precious works of sacral art, both from the Middle Ages and the following
epochs of the 17th and 18th century. Next to the cathedral, there is the former
Baroque Palace of the Bishops of Warmia, which has been turned
into the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum 7 (ul. Katedralna 8; phone:
+48 552440071; e-mail:[email protected]; www.frombork.art.pl). The
famous astronomer spent many years in Frombork as a canon. The interior of
the Copernicus Tower is arranged so as to resemble the astronomer’s original
office. Other places on the Cathedral Hill are also connected with astronomy
and Copernicus’ discoveries. Since 1973, there has been a planetarium in the
3
The Cathedral Hill in Frombork,
photo GEP Chroszcz
Nicolaus Copernicus Museum
in Frombork,
photo GEP Chroszcz
4
octagon (part of the Nicolaus Copernicus Museum in Frombork; phone: +48 552440083). In the Radziejowski Tower,
lying just above the octagon, there is a Foucault pendulum
showing the rotary movement of the Earth. The tower is
a perfect place to enjoy the panorama of the whole of the
Cathedral Hill and Frombork vicinity.
The town itself is not quite as noteworthy. It is located at
the foot of the Cathedral Hill. Some of the tenement houses
set around the small market and the former 14th century
St Nicholas Parish Church 8 were rebuilt after
battles which destroyed them in 1945. A bit further
on, at a crossroads running from the road towards
Braniewo, there is a group of buildings which were
formerly the Holy Spirit Hospital 9 and St Anne’s
Chapel founded in the Middle Ages. However, the
present form of the buildings comes mainly from the
18th century. Nowadays, the buildings serve as the History of Medicine Museum. What is worth seeing,
apart from past treatment methods, is a very interesting gallery of sculpture and paintings as well as
a splendid 15th century fresco in the hospital chapel.
The polychromes present the Last Judgment (The History of Medicine Museum, The Nicolaus Copernicus
Museum department in Frombork, ul. Stara 3).
• Braniewo – a town founded in 13th century by the
bishops of Warmia at the Pasłęka River. It was almost
completely destroyed at the end of World War II. There
are a few notable monuments in the town. The Basilica
of St. Catherine 10 prides itself on its huge size. This
majestic Gothic temple was erected between 1343–1442
and rebuilt in the 1980s. Another monument is a 13th century Gothic gate tower 11 , which is the only remaining
part of the Braniewo Bishops’ castle and the city’s fortifications. There also used to be a famous school 12 in
Braniewo – set up by the Jesuits in modern times. The
monks were brought to Braniewo in 1563 by Stanisław
Hozjusz, the Bishop of Warmia and a famous activist of the counter-reformation. The vast edifice of the school called Collegium Hosianum was
constructed in the 18th century. Later on it was partly rebuilt. The building
of the Hospice of Converts 13 dates back to 1719. It is known also as the
Potocki Palace from the name of its founder, the Bishop of Warmia Teodor
Andrzej Potocki.
On the outskirts of the city (near the road to Nowa Pasłęka) there is a Baroque church called the Holy Cross Church 14 erected in the first part
of the 18th century. Similarly, the equipment of the temple comes from the
18th century. The church replaced an older 17th century temple where a miraculous painting of the Holy Trinity had been worshipped. The painting was
transferred to the new church at a later time.
The R64 Transboundary Bicycle Trail
36
Route: Nogat River – Batorowo – Nowe Batorowo – Nowakowo – Rubno Wielkie
(a district in Elbląg) – Elbląg – Próchnik (a district in Elbląg) – Łęcze – Suchacz
– Pęklewo – Kadyny – Lipnik – Tolkmicko – Chojnowo – Krzyżewo – Frombork
– Różaniec – Nowa Pasłęka – Ułowo – Braniewo; 95 km
The so-called Lagoon (‘Nadzalewowy’) Bicycle Trail runs just by the bank of the
Vistula Lagoon. Although the route was supposed to encircle the whole lagoon,
there is no trail signposting on the Russian part of the trail. On the Polish side
of the border, the trail runs through the Pomorskie voivodeship, through the
Vistula Spit and then through the flat areas of the Lowlands, where it crosses
the border of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeship. This part of the trail is
particularly attractive, as it runs through the Lowlands and then towards the
hills and forests of the Elbląg Upland. The last part of the trail crosses the Warmia
Lowland and runs towards the border of the Russian Kaliningrad Oblast.
Although the trail runs mainly along asphalt roads, there are breakstone
and unsurfaced roads or paths on some stretches.
Level of difficulty: moderate, the distance between Łęcze and Frombork
– very difficult.
Places to see along the route:
• Nowakowo – a town by the Elbląg River located in an area
called Nowakowska Island. It is surrounded by the Vistula
Lagoon, the Nogat and the Elbląg Rivers as well as the Cieplicówka and Jagiellonian Canals. It is situated predominantly
in a depression below sea level. The island is protected by
embankments, and all the buildings in this area, which has
been inhabited since the 17th century, are raised on special
artificial dwelling hills known as terps.
• Elbląg – see p. 3.
• Próchnik – several arcaded houses 15 typical to
the region have been preserved in this village founded in the
13th century. Constructions of this type have the first floor in
a forward position above the front of the house. The floor
is usually supported by wooden beams just above a wide
arcade. Typically, the floors have a framework and grid construction. At present, there are two such wooden buildings
from the turn of the 19th / 20th century and one dating back to the beginning of
the previous century preserved in Próchnik. There is also the Gothic Church
of St. Anthony 16 in the village. Nowadays, Próchnik is a part of Elbląg.
• Łęcze – a village founded in the 13th century and located in the picturesque
area of the Elbląg Upland border. The local fields overview the Vistula Lagoon. You can also see 18th century arcaded houses 17 and a Baroque
church 18 . The trail runs through forests to the north of the village and then
through deep gorges and stream valleys.
• Kadyny – see p. 3.
Cyclist on a trail,
photo iStockphoto.com
Łęcze – arcaded house,
fig. RS
5
The Elbląg Upland Landscape Park
The most interesting parts of the Elbląg Upland, in terms of the landscape, have been protected since 1985 in the form of a landscaped
park taking up 13,000 ha. The Upland area is far higher than the surrounding Vistula and Warmia Lowlands. It descends gently to the
southern and eastern sides. To the north and west (especially above the bank of the Vistula Lagoon) it creates a picturesque brink
intersected by deep gorges and stream valleys up to 60 m deep. In the vicinity of Suchacz, Kadyny and Elbląg Pheasantry, the land’s
relief is so dynamic, with its steep slopes and distinct elevations, that it looks like mountains. On the other hand, the middle part of
the Upland is rather monotonous. The area there is slightly undulating. Surprisingly, in the middle of the Upland near Milejowo there
is the highest hill in the region, which is called Góra Srebrna. It reaches 198 m above sea level.
Most of the park is overgrown by forests, mainly beeches and oaks
(e.g. in Kadyny). In the ‘Kadyny Forest’ reserve there are old beechoak forest stands, whereas sea beechwoods are to be found mainly in
the ‘Elbląg Upland Oaks’ reserve. The first reserve is easily accessible,
provided you leave your bicycle in Kadyny (the park lies just next to
the town). The second one borders the forest paths of bicycle trails
running from Kadyny to Pagórki.
Picturesque landscape of the region, photo GEP Chroszcz
Święty Kamień (The Sacred Stone)
Between Tolkmicko and Frombork there is a place where the high, afforested border of the Elbląg Upland reaches the bank of the Vistula
Lagoon. This is where a huge 2 m high erratic boulder emerges from the water. It is 13 m in circumference and it lies about 30 m away from the
bank. Sometimes, when the water level in the Lagoon is low enough, it is possible to make it to the stone unscathed. There is a small hole in the
stone, which is believed to have served the pagan Prussian priests as a sacrificial altar. Sacrifices were supposed to guarantee the abundance of
fish catch in the Lagoon. That is why the stone, which had served as an altar in the past, is called the Sacred Stone (Święty Kamień).
To get to the stone, you must follow the trail from Tolkmicko up to the fork in the road just behind the Nowy Wiek forester’s lodge. There the
trail goes up to the right, whereas the red ‘Copernicus Hiking Trail’ heads towards the stone. Several hundred meters further, you turn left
onto a steep, descending forest path (it is better to get off the bike there). At the bottom, behind the railway track, you will reach the Lagoon
embankment, from where the nearby Święty Kamień can already be seen.
Church of St Jacob
in Tolkmicko, fig. RS
6
• Tolkmicko – a town and a harbour occupying a narrow strip of the flat
land of Old Prussian Coast, just between the edge of the Elbląg Upland and the
bank of the Vistula Lagoon (at the mouth of the Stradanka River). The history of
Tolkmicko dates back to the 13th century. Founded by the Teutonic Knights, it was
one of the greatest ports in the Vistula Lagoon for several centuries, which was
partly due to silting of the water route leading to Elbląg. After being destroyed
in 1945, the significance of the town dropped. Recently, however, thanks to
some successful investments in the region, Tolkmicko has become a popular
harbour for the berthing of yachts next to the still active fishing boats.
At the main square, there is the Gothic 14th century Parish Church of St
Jacob 19 . The church has only one tower, which is located in the western
façade just over the entry to the temple. It has a three-aisle interior with
massive, brick columns which support the arcades between the aisles. Out
of all the defense walls, only a 1 4th century tower 20 remains.
• Chojnowo – a small village on the north-eastern periphery of the Elbląg Upland
and one of the largest villages in this area until World War II. It's worth riding along
past the village buildings then diverting from the trail for a moment to see a number
of beautiful roadside shrines dating back to the 18th – 20th centuries 21 .
• Frombork – see. p. 3.
• Braniewo – see. p. 4.
‘Obrazik’ Bicycle Trail
37
Route: Lidzbark (Welski) – ‘Obrazik’ Reserve – Lidzbark; 19.58 km
This short trail runs mainly through the areas of the Górzno-Lidzbark Landscape Park. You will ride along forest paths, tracks and lanes by Lidzbark Lake
in peace and quiet – there is no automobile traffic here and other tourists
are very rarely seen.
The trail runs almost exclusively along forest roads, partly surfaced, while
its initial section takes the form of an urban promenade stretching along Lidzbark Lake. Orientation on forest roads and paths may cause trouble at times.
Level of difficulty: easy to moderate.
Places to see along the route:
• Lidzbark Lake – an elongated ribbon lake covering 121 hectares. With
a length of 3.5 kilometres, it is less than 500 m wide at its widest point. The first
section of the trail runs by the southern shore of the lake. Its eastern end, with
partially developed embankments, is situated next to Lidzbark, where a con- Nature of the region,
venient promenade and a small beach can be found. The reservoir is rich in fish, photo GEP Chroszcz
and you may observe various species of water birds on its surface, such as greatcrested grebes, golden eyes, mergansers, coots and mallards.
• ‘Klonowo’ Reserve – a small forest reserve (almost Jar Brynicy (Brynica Ravine)
31 hectares) on the southern shore of Lidzbark Lake, near and Dąb Rzeczypospolitej
the western end of the basin. Broad-leaved forest as well (the Republic’s Oak)
as mixed forests dominated by pine trees and reaching up One of the most interesting parts of Górzno-Lidzbark Landto 30 m in height are under protection. Some stands are scape Park is the Brynica River valley. A small, clear stream
flows deep within a varied, hilly, moraine land. A deep valalmost 200 years old.
ley with side ravines overgrown with various stands of trees
• ‘Obrazik’ Reserve – covers over 66 hectares of forests is partially protected as ‘Jar Brynicy’ Reserve. West from
and moors, including the small Zdręczno lake between Lidzbark, in the vicinity of the Red Trail, one can see the
Piaseczno Lake and the Obrazik settlement. The area is Green ‘Dąb Rzeczypospolitej’ Bicycle Trail leading to a large
a hilly, moraine upland. The water reservoir, located in reserve. At the edge of the reserve, on the southern side of
the hollow between the hills, is gradually becoming over- the valley, there is a magnificent tree, the ‘Republic’s
Oak’ 22 (also known as the ‘Jagiełło’s Oak’), whose age
grown, as a result of which a natural transitional moor has
has been estimated at as much as 500 years.
formed around it. The reserve is the perfect habitat for
large, timid birds – cranes.
‘Memorials’ Bicycle Trail
40
Route: Ełk – Mrozy Wielkie – Sordachy – Koziki – Giże – Brodowo – Laski Małe
– Sypitki – Makosieje – Łoje – Laski Wielkie – Sędki – Lega – Buczki – Szeligi – Ełk;
42.8 km
A long loop in the Ełk area leads around the vast Selmęt Wielki Lake. Cyclists
travel across large pine forests, meadows and fields used for agricultural
purposes as well as through small villages. Picturesque stretches of the route
lead right along the shores of the lake. On the trail there are remembrances
of the recent history of the Ełk Lake District: no-longer-used Evangelical
7
cemeteries remaining after the displaced
German population, war cemeteries
from the period of both World Wars as
well as examples of old rural buildings
from before 1945.
The trail leads mostly along rural back
roads (predominantly asphalt); some
shorter fo­rest stretches lead along unsurfaced paths and tracks.
Level of difficulty: easy.
Places to see along the route:
• Makosieje – a village located on
the eastern edge of Selmęt Lake; there
is a comfortable descent to the water's
edge, and the shore area at the end of
the village has been tidied up. Near the entrance of Sypitki village, there
is a m
ilitary cemetery from the time of World War I 23 . Soldiers
of the Russian and German armies are buried here, and the whole area is
cleaned and maintained. In the woods between Sypitki and Makosieje villages, an Evangelical cemetery established at the turn of the
century 24 can be found. It is also clean and orderly.
• Laski Wielkie – the village is located directly on the northern shore of
Selmęt Wielki Lake. In the forest at the eastern side of Laski, just ahead of
the entrance to the village, there is a historic, Evangelical cemetery,
founded in the 19th century 25 and in use up until the 1980s. Many
tree species typical to the local cemetery have been preserved, among them,
some old cedars. The cemetery area is orderly, but numerous tombstones are
in ruins; family quarters have been isolated by metal fences.
• Szeligi – a popular holiday resort located on a glade surrounded by forests
covering the north-western shores of Selmęt Wielki Lake. You may use a protected beach and water equipment can be rented, both are popular with Ełk
residents. In the forest, next to the trail west of the village, there is a historic
Evangelical cemetery from the early 20th century 26 , there are
also sections dedicated to the army dating back to World War I, with graves
of German soldiers who died in 1914. The cemetery is not easily accessible
and is densely overgrown with weeds and bushes.
Along the trail,
photo iStockphoto.com
A military cemetery
in Makosieje, fig. RS
39
Giżycko – Ryn – Święta Lipka Trail
Route: Giżycko – Wilkasy – Szczybały Giżyckie – Skop – Tros – Ryn – Knis – Salpik
– Nakomiady – Owczarnia – Kwiedzina – Gierłoż – Czerniki – Karolewo – Kętrzyn
– Biedaszki – Pieckowo – Święta Lipka; 65 km
An interesting trail leading through the Land of the Great Masurian Lakes to
the border with Warmia. It passes through a varied landscape where you can
find many interesting monuments and historical relics. They are objects of
military architecture such as: the fortifications of Giżycko’s Boyen Fortress,
8
ramparts as well as bunkers from WW1 and WW2 – and some other relics, such
as Teutonic castles and religious monuments chiefly the pilgrimage church in
Święta Lipka. Along the route, there are also some less-known objects, such
as roadside shrines or manors.
The trail leads by various roads, however, asphalt roads prevail, with medium and low traffic. There are some short sections of breakstone or gravel
roads and even some field and forest paths.
Level of difficulty: easy to moderate.
Places to see along the route:
• Giżycko – a town on the northern
shore of Niegocin Lake was developed
in a strategically crucial location – at the
junction between the Mamry Lake complex and Niegocin. It was in 1340 that the
Teutonic Knights erected their castle
here 27 . Only one original residential
castle wing with a Renaissance gable has
survived until today. Recently, several
new buildings have been erected, with
their shape harking back to the former
castle buildings. There are plans to open
a luxury hotel, and organise a museum
exhibition in the renovated wing of the
original castle.
Next to the castle, an original swing
bridge 28 was built over the Łuczany
Canal in 1889. The span of the bridge
(100-tonnes) is pulled sideways in just 5 minutes thanks to a special manual
mechanism, and only one man is enough to operate it! West of the city centre, on the inlet between Kisajno and Niegocin Lakes, the huge Fortress
Boyen 29 emerges (ul. Turystyczna 1, phone: +48 87 4288393, www.boyen.
gizycko.pl). Visitors can walk on the ramparts and visit the small museum.
The construction began in 1844. Over a period of 11 years a fortress with six
bastions, earth embankments and numerous buildings was constructed. In
subsequent years, it was modernized several times and has survived up until
now. Despite the disastrous state of some parts, the fortress is a real treat for
those interested in fortifications.
• Ryn – a beautifully located town on a high bank above the northern end
of the Ryn Lake and the small Ołów Lake on the opposite side. Passage between the two lakes was important for the Teutonic Knights; therefore a castle 30 was put up in this place in circa 1377. In subsequent centuries, the
castle’s shape was repeatedly changed through rebuilding and presently this
four-wing building, dominating the other city buildings, houses a luxury hotel
(some rooms can be visited with a guide from May to August) – Mazurskie
Centrum Kongresowo-Wypoczynkowe (the Masurian Congress and Leisure
Centre ‘Zamek-Ryn’, pl. Wolności 2, phone: +48 87 4297009, e-mail: hotel@
zamekryn.pl, www.zamekryn.pl).
Swing bridge with Giżycko castle
in the background,
photo GEP Chroszcz
9
Interiors of the cooking stoves
factory in Nakomiady palace,
photo GEP Chroszcz
‘Wolf’s Lair’ headquarters
in Gierłoż,
photo GEP Chroszcz
10
• Nakomiady – a small village, probably founded by the Teutonic Knights in the
late fourteenth century, located some distance from tourist routes. It is assumed
that a small church was established here soon after setting up the village, although
an independent parish existed only since the 16th century. The small temple, with its
tower added in 1932, was repeatedly rebuilt and, according to some legends had an
underground connection to the nearby Teutonic Knights' castle. The castle was created at the turn of the 14th / 15th centuries. Today, a Baroque palace 31 built in the
2nd half of the 17th century and substantially
rebuilt in 1705 stands on the foundations of
the castle. The residence, with a preserved
park and some restored farm buildings, is
in private hands now – visitors can enter
the park area (Nakomiady Palace, phone:
+48 661255653, e-mail: palac@nakomiady.
pl, www.nakomiady.pl).
• Owczarnia – this small village surrounded by forests, north of the Nakomiady
village, is known for its original Mazury
Museum 32 (Owczarnia 1/1, phone: +48
89 7522023, e-mail: owczarnia@owczarnia.
com, www.owczarnia.com). You can see
the interiors of a traditional Masurian hut
dating back to 19th and early 20th centuries,
and get acquainted with the culture, customs and typical workings of a Masurian
farm in a residential building previously in
the service of the former estate.
• Gierłoż – in the wet forests east of
Kętrzyn, the trail leads to the remains of
a large bunker complex from World War II
the ruins of Adolf Hitler's headquarters
named the ‘Wolf's Lair’ 33 (Ger. Wolfsschanze). The construction of bunkers began in 1940, in view of the Führer's plan to
start a war with the USSR. In subsequent
years, the headquarters grew in size and
the existing shelters were strengthened
in protection against the allied bombers'
attack. In this way, a complex of more than
200 different buildings etc., occupying an
area of about 800 hectares, was created.
There were three security zones there with
numerous anti-aircraft shelters, smaller bunkers, and regular buildings built for
various purposes, e.g.: power plants, waterworks, teleprinter centres, a heating
plant, warehouses, barracks, etc. A railway line passed through the headquarters
and there were two airports in the vicinity. The strongest bunkers – including
Hitler's ruined shelter – impress visitors with the thickness of their reinforced
concrete walls and ceilings of up to 8 m . The place is open to visitors (Wolf's
Lair, Gierłoż, phone: +48 89 7524429, e-mail: [email protected], www.wolfsschanze.pl).
• Kętrzyn – a city founded by the Teutonic Order in 1357 and
established next to a wooden watchtower transformed into
a brick castle 34 over a period of time. Its central, quadrilateral brick building has survived until today, rebuilt after
the devastation brought by World War II. Today it houses the
Wojciech Kętrzyński Museum (pl. Zamkowy 1, phone: +48
89 7523282, e-mail: [email protected], www.muzeum.
ketrzyn.pl). On the western side of the old town it is worth
visiting the magnificent Church of St. George 35 . The
brick temple with three naves was built in the Gothic style
in the 2nd half of the 14th century. It was given the features of
a defensive building. Two towers built according to the square
plan were erected next to the temple's body and the entire
church defence, incorporated into the city walls, became the
walls' second most important part (after the castle). The church
interior is known for its original, late-Gothic crystal vault, built
after a fire in 1500, you may also observe the substantial deviation of the presbytery axis from the aisles.
• Święta Lipka – located amidst the forests to the southwest of Kętrzyn, a small village famous for its large, Baroque
pilgrimage church. The church, named St. Mary’s Sanctuary 36 and dating back to the 14th century, is considered one
of the most valuable monuments of this style in Poland. The
former chapel was destroyed during the Reformation, but in
the 17th century, construction of the new chapel began, and the
building was placed in the Jesuits' custody. In 1693 the construction of a large basilica with Baroque façade and two towers was
completed. A courtyard surrounded by galleries with corner
chapels was added later. The church interior impresses visitors with its rich 18th
century furnishings, supplemented by paintings. A great attraction is the organ,
whose baroque prospectus with mobile figures was created in 1721, while the original
instrument was replaced by a new organ with 40 ranks and 4,000 pipes in 1905.
Nida Loop
Kętrzyn castle courtyard,
photo GEP Chroszcz
Sanctuary in Święta Lipka,
photo D. Zaród
39
Route: Ruciane-Nida – Krzyże – Karwica – Wiartel – Ruciane-Nida; 46.90 km
A lovely trail for the forest lovers, leading through the backwoods of the Puszcza
Piska (Pisk Forest), crossing tiny glades and passing through a few small villages.
The route takes a circular loop around Nidzkie Lake. In many places it reaches as far
as the shore, so make sure you bring your swimsuit and take a break by the water
during the tour.
The trail has been marked out along asphalt and breakstone roads, as
well as forest paths. It is easy to orientate yourself on this trail especially the
stretch from the vicinity of the Czapla watchtower to Ruciane-Nida, leading
by an asphalt road along forest thinnings.
11
Ruciane-Nida marina,
photo GEP Chroszcz
Gałczyński Museum
at Pranie forester’s lodge,
photo GEP Chroszcz
Level of difficulty: easy.
Places to see along the route:
• Ruciane-Nida – a small town founded
just after World War II, as a result of the
merging of two settlements separated by
woods. Ruciane was still merely a glade
with a forester's lodge in the early 19th century but since 1884, when the railway was
introduced to the area, it gradually evolved
into a popular resort. The older Nida had
existed as a pitch burners' settlement in the
16th century, but shortly before World War II
only 150 inhabitants remained.
The town has actually no monuments,
although you might like to visit the remains of the German fortifications 37 from the turn of the 19th / 20th
centuries. It is very easy to spot bunkers in
the form of towers with battlements, erected next to the road bridge and rail bridge
over the Nida Canal, as well as next to the
Guzianka lock. An original item of interest
is the cone enucleator built between
1890 and 1892. The old part can be visited,
but only after obtaining the consent of
Maskuliński Forest Inspectorate, RucianeNida, ul. Rybacka 1, phone: +48 87 4241619
or +48 87 4231010.
• Pranie Forester's Lodge – a quiet
place right on the shores of Nidzkie Lake, 6 km from Ruciane-Nida. It gained popularity thanks to the outstanding poet, Konstanty Ildefons Gałczyński. He spent his
holidays in a scenically located, small, brick forester's lodge over a period of three
years starting from 1950, and even planned to settle in this beautiful Masurian region,
but did not manage to realize his dreams before dying in December 1953. The great
Nidzkie Lake
Surrounded by extensive Pisz Forest, Nidzkie Lake is undoubtedly one of
the most beautiful reservoirs around the Mazury Lake District. It covers
1.8 thousand hectares. Reaching 23 km in length, and 200 m to 2 km in
width, it is a classic example of a ribbon lake, located in a cavernous hollow
(reaching 23 m of depth) and carved by an ice sheet during the last glaciation. Typical of such lakes are also high, steep banks. The lake is even more
attractive due to its numerous bays, together with as many as 13 islands,
mostly located close to Nida.
Almost the entire Nidzkie Lake with an area of nearly 3,000 hectares is under protection, as it constitutes the Nidzkie Lake Landscape Reserve. Due to
the obligatory zone of silence, it is always quiet on the reservoir.
Nidzkie Lake, photo GEP Chroszcz
12
Mazurian environment charmed the poet, facilitated his writing and was reflected
in his works, such as The Chronicles of Olsztyn series or Veit Stoss and Niobe poems.
In 1980, the biographical Galczyński's Museum 38 was opened in the
Lodge (Pranie Forester's Lodge, phone: +48 87 4256248, e-mail: muzeumpranie@
neostrada.pl, www.lesniczowkapranie.art.pl). Numerous remembrances of the
poet have been collected, including the manuscripts of poems created during
his stay in the Lodge. In the summer, cultural events are organized there and
are often attended by celebrities from the world of culture.
Green Trail
38
Route: Górowo Iławeckie – Wojmiany – Czyprki – Gałajny – Żywkowo – Toprzyny
– Sigajny – Parężki – Kamińsk – Paustry – Górowo Iławeckie; 34 km
A bicycle trail running between Wzniesienia Górowskie
(Górowo Hills) is the ideal option for those seeking rest
from busy, tourist routes. This agricultural land with small
villages, groves and forests unfolds the serenity and beauty
of the gentle landscape. Here, man can live in harmony with
nature, the symbol of which is Żywkowo, the European
White Stork Centre, famous because it contains numerous
nests of this beautiful bird.
The route leads almost exclusively along comfortable
asphalt roads, however, with almost no traffic.
Level of difficulty: easy.
Places to see along the route:
• Górowo Iławeckie – a town on the River Młynówka
which was founded in the Middle Ages and received city rights in 1335. Over
the centuries, it has not gained any greater importance, although its history
has been intertwined with natural disasters or epidemics, often associated
with wars. Severe damage to the town was brought by the Napoleonic wars,
when the extremely bloody Battle of Iława Pruska took place in 1807. Once
again, the town was destroyed in the winter of 1945, during fights between
the Germans and the Red Army. The town soon became incorporated into
Poland and its German population was replaced with Poles and Ukrainians
who were resettled from south-eastern Poland under ‘Operation Vistula’.
An oval urban layout of Górowo (including the market) is a reminder of the medieval foundation. The Town Hall on the main square was rebuilt several times; a 17th
century clock has been preserved on its tower. Next to the market there is a G
othic
church from the 14th century 39 ; however, once you look inside it, you may
notice an iconostas by the recently deceased painter Jerzy Nowosielski. At present,
the temple serves as a Greek Catholic church. Out of its original decorations, a large
Baroque painting on the ceiling, painted in 1660, has been preserved up to the
present day. An original attraction of Górowo is the Gas Industry ­Museum 40
(ul. Wyszyńskiego 20, phone: +48 89 7611092). This facility occupies the buildings of
the former municipal gasworks dating back to 1908, which produced gas from pit coal.
Along the Green Trail,
photo iStockphoto.com
13
One of Żywkowo inhabitants
– a white stork,
photo GEP Chroszcz
36
• Żywkowo – a tiny village of a mere 30 inhabitants,
located just next to the border with Russia, famous for its
white stork nesting place. During the breeding season,
there are more birds here than permanent residents. It
is worthwhile getting off your bicycle and taking a walk
along the short Educational Stork Path. In many places
you can see branches arranged in huge nests on special
platforms, leaning against roof ridges or placed on the
top of electricity poles. There are about 50 stork nests in
Żywkowo, although not all of them are occupied every
year. At the end of the breeding season there can be even
as much as 200 birds in the nests! This is probably the largest colony of this species in Poland. Most nests are situated
within the area owned by the Polish Society for Bird
Protection 41 (PTOP Education Centre, Żywkowo 7, phone: +48 89 7618207,
e-mail: [email protected]), where a special viewing tower has been
erected. Storks can also be spotted in many neighbouring villages, as well as
strolling among the meadows.
The Elbląg Canal Trail
Route: Elbląg – Rubno Wielkie (Elbląg's district) – Nowakowo – Kępa Rybacka
– Bielnik II – Janowo – Adamowo – Wikrowo – Wiktorowo – Jegłownik – Gronowo
Elbląskie – Różany – Zwierzno – Kępniewo – Brudzędy – Stare Dolno – Święty Gaj
– Kwietniewo – Dymnik – Rychliki – Marwica Wielka – Jelonki – Jelenie Inclined
Plane – Oleśnica Inclined Plane – Kąty Inclined Plane – Lepno – Kreki – Wielki Dwór
– Jarnołtowo – Bądki – Zalewo – Dobrzyki – Jerzwałd – Siemiany – Piotrkowo
– Starzykowo – Szymbark – Ząbrowo – Kamionka – Iława; 130 km
An excellent trail for a few days’ wandering through the land of the Elbląg
Canal. The trail allows you to see the most interesting canal parts, including
four inclined planes. It also leads through the former Mennonite settlements
in the Vistula Lagoon and the villages of Iława Lake District, with their numerous historical churches, mansions and Teutonic Order
castles. The initial section runs mostly through farmland,
but in the next section cyclists encounter numerous lakes,
and can traverse vast forest areas.
The trail runs primarily along asphalt back-roads with
little traffic, a few short sections of the roads are slightly
busier. There are also stretches running along unsurfaced
roads, particularly in the forests around Jeziorak Lake and
along the Elbląg Canal.
Level of difficulty: easy to moderate.
A church in Jegłownik,
photo J. Pruszyńska
14
Places to see along the route:
• Elbląg – See p. 3.
• Jegłownik – a large village in Żuławy which boasts
several monuments. It is worth stopping at the church dating back to
1804 42 , built on the site of an older temple. It is a frame-structure building
with a tower. The interior has retained some items from the
previous church, including a Baroque altar and an organ
front, as well as numerous tombstones, including some
from the 17th century. There are also many old tombstones
in the church cemetery. Additionally, the village houses an
inn from 1795 43 which has been partially preserved
with original furniture.
• Zwierzno – two beautiful arcaded houses 44 have
been preserved in this small village in Żuławy. The buildings
used to be typical rural constructions in the region. The first
house dates back to 1773, the second is a bit younger – from
the mid 19th century although, on the other hand, with interestingly decorated arcades. A school building is also interesting as it is located in a former community centre and
stylized in a way which makes it look like an arcaded house.
• Kępniewo – an old village in Żuławy region, probably founded in 1337. It used to be located on the Druzno Lake shore, which
was a much larger area in the Middle Ages than it is now. Since
the end of the 16th century, the surrounding wetlands were
drained and managed by the Dutch Mennonites 45 (see
box on p. 3), after whom the characteristic rural farmsteads, an
arcaded house and the remains of the cemetery (with several
renewed tombstones) have been preserved up until now.
• Święty Gaj – see p. 2.
• Kwietniewo – the village occupies the first range of
higher hills over the Vistula Lowlands. The village's historic
Gothic church from the 14th century 46 bears testimony of the place's medieval origin. The church was built
of field stones and bricks; it has a wooden tower (with
an overhung cutwater) built on its western side in 1770.
Inside there are two tombstones and an altar from the late
17th century. The Kwietniewo neighbouring areas are wellknown for their valuable archaeological finds from as long
ago as the Neolithic period (ca. 4500–1700 BC).
• Jelonki – it's worth visiting a Gothic church 47 dating back to 1350–1375, standing among the village buildings
with several arcaded houses. It is distinguished by a massive, 19m high square tower with its curious detail – an
original 15th century door. Inside the temple you can see 18th century Baroque
furnishings and a choir gallery decorated with rococo paintings.
• Jelenie Inclined Plane – the first plane of the Elbląg Canal, running
alongside the trail route and established, just like the other three, at the turn
of the 1850s /1860s . The length of track on which the trolley, carrying ships
and boats, moves is 433 m, and the whole structure covers a 22 m difference
in water levels in parts of the channel above and below the inclined plane.
• Oleśnica Inclined Plane – situated among the fields around Krasin;
it enables crossing of the Elbląg Canal's largest level difference between
the upper and lower sections, equal to as much as 24 m. The length of the
A church in Zwierzno,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Mennonite cemetery in Kępniewo,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Gothic church tower
in Kwietniewo,
photo J. Pruszyńska
15
The Elbląg Canal
An extraordinary, technical monument and a beautiful, attractive 83.3 km waterway, connecting
Druzno and and Drwęckie Lakes near Ostróda. If you count all branches of the canal, the entire waterways system is as long as 152 km. The canal design work was undertaken by a Prussian engineer Georg
Jacob Steenke in 1837. Several professionals were allocated to assist him. The builders went on a few
business trips, especially to Belgium and the Netherlands in order to see how channels and locks are constructed there. However, the terrain of the planned waterway was not conducive to the use of locks, and
it was only when travelling to the U.S.A. in 1850 that Steenke found a solution to avoid using unprofitable
(in that particular case) locks. The solution was inclined planes, powered by flowing water, using differences in the levels between particular channel sections. In 1860 four such constructions had already
been completed, and in the years 1874–1881 the fifth ( ‘Całuny’) inclined plane was built. It replaced the
chamber locks which had been used before, but, as opposed to the older ones, a much more efficient
water turbine was adopted instead of the water wheel drive. Apart from the inclined planes, some other
hydro-technical equipment of the channel are locks and security gates as well as an embankment, along
which the canal was lead across Karnice Lake, where the water level is 3 m lower than in the Elbląg Canal.
A cruise along the Elbląg Canal,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Drwęckie Lake,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Windmill in Lepno,
photo J. Pruszyńska
16
plane's track is almost 480 m, thus it is
only slightly inferior in size to the largest
plane named Buczyniec. The peculiarity
of this device is a local road crossing the
railway track. It is sometimes necessary
for passing cars to wait until the platform
carrying the ship has passed. Another curiosity is a sluice with the Klepina stream
flowing underneath.
• Kąty Inclined Plane – situated near
the village of the same name, a bit smaller
than the other inclined planes described in
this guide. It is 404 m long, and the difference in water levels between the upper and
lower section of the canal is nearly 19 m.
• Buczyniec Inclined Plane – even
though the trail passes along the motor
road through the forest a few hundred
meters from the plane, it's worth getting off the trail for a while in order to see
this almost 500 meters long construction
which is the longest of the canal's five
inclined planes. The difference between
the levels is 20.62 m. The inclined plane is
hidden in the woods. You can visit a small
museum exposition (Memorial Exhibiton
Room of the Elbląg Canal, Buczyniec Inclined Plane, phone: +48 55 2487092),
dedicated to the history of the channel construction, and an engine room.
• Lepno – a small village in the Iława Lake District; one of the few places in the
region where an original windmill 48 has been preserved, standing among
fields, about one kilometre to the east, near the road from Kąty. By the end of the
19th century, windmills were a part of the local scenery, however
most of them were destroyed later. The windmill preserved in
Lepno was built of brick and it originally had a wooden swivel
roof, out of which only fragments of vanes (sails) have survived.
• Jarnołtowo – a precious monument of this small village
is a 14th century Gothic church 49 with a stepped
gable and an original, free-standing bell tower adorned with
stepped gables as well. The only remains of the former property are parts of the park and the manor ruins 50 .
It should be noted that the famous philosopher Immanuel
Kant used to work here as a teacher.
• Bądki – an interesting, neo-Gothic main body of the manor house in Bądki 51 was erected in 1869. The manor has
several peaks with pinnacles and a large terrace; a historic park
extends around it. In the vicinity of the manor, farm buildings
and a group of same-style groom houses have been preserved.
• Zalewo – this small town on Ewingi Lake was set up in 1305,
next to a small Teutonic Knights' castle at the end of the 13th
century. The city was founded by settlers from Thuringia. To
this day, no traces of the castle remain, but you can visit the
Church of St. John 52 dating back to circa 1351 with a tower
half a century older. The single-nave interior houses interesting gravestones from the early 17th century. Next to the church
stands a low, square tower and a small section of the defence
walls – all that is left of the old Zalewo fortifications.
• Dobrzyki – a village partially situated on fenland between Ewingi Lake and
the northern end of Jeziorak Lake. Dobrzyki was founded by the German settlers
as early as the 13th century. The area had long before been inhabited by the Prussians, as evidenced by two large, early medieval castles found in the area. The
village houses a Gothic church from before 1320 53 . A wooden tower
was built within the body of the temple in the 19th century. The church interior
includes Baroque patrons' pews, galleries and an organ dating back to circa 1776.
• Jerzwałd – a village by the Jeziorak Lake, especially well known to a multitude
of young fans of a series of books about Pan Samochodzik's (Mr Automobile's)
adventures. It was here that Zbigniew Nienacki (1929–1994), the books' author,
lived and worked. He was buried in the local cemetery. Each year Jerzwałd becomes a meeting place for the writer's fans. Additionally, the governing board of
the Iława Lake District and Dylewo Hills Landscape Park Complex with
a small botanical garden 54 are located here (Jerzwałd 62, phone: +48 89
7588527, e-mail: [email protected], parkikrajobrazowewarmiiimazur.pl).
• Szymbark – the village boasts about the impressive ruins of the
Pomesanian chapter's castle 55 . Its construction started probably in
the 1370s. This huge building was the second largest castle of the Teutonic state
in its glory years, second only to Malbork. In the 17th century, the castle was
transformed into a powerful Finckestein family residence; however, when the
wave of Romanticism came at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, the family
reconstructed the castle to a ‘Gothic form’. The building fell into ruin in 1945,
when it was plundered and destroyed by the Red Army. Still, there are walls with
Gothic church in Jarnołtowo,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Manor house in Bądki,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Zalewo Tower,
photo J. Pruszyńska
17
towers, a gate tower, a bridge over the
moat, and numerous farm buildings. The
romantic castle remains photograph very
well – they even served Volker Schlöndorff, a film director, while shooting the
scenes to The Ogre with John Malkovich.
• Iława – a major city and a popular resort
of the Iława Lake District lying at the southern end of Jeziorak and Little Jeziorak Lakes.
The name is derived from the Prussian word
Ilis, meaning swamp or mud. The Teutonic
Knights built a castle here in the early 14th
century, soon a town was built next to it. The
town's medieval origin is expressed in the
form of Church of the Transfiguration 56 , built of brick between 1317–1325
in a Gothic style. The church, with decorative gables, had an adjacent bell tower, and
the whole church complex was incorporated within the city walls. The enormous
City Hall building 57 bears testimony
of the town's prosperity at the turn of the
19th / 20th centuries. The building was erected
between 1910 and 1912 and restored in 1995.
Apart from the old town, it is worth
visiting the Orthodox Church of
St. John the Theologist 58 which
occupies an original, former gasworks
from 1899 and was handed over to the local Ukrainian community in the 90s . Another interesting site is a Neo-Gothic
Railway Station 59 dating back to 1900, the original water towers of
the 19th century 60 – two near the train station and another two in other
parts of the city (in ul.1 Maja and ul. Wojska Polskiego).
36, 37
Remains of the castle in Szymbark,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Water tower in Iława,
photo J. Pruszyńska
18
The Great Ostróda Loop
Route: Ostróda – Lubajny – Stare Jabłonki – Szyldak – Kraplewo – Brzydowo
– Smykowo – Turznica – Samborowo – Rogowo – Liwa – Ostróda; 68.4 km
An excellent trail for a two-day trip. You can cover the whole distance in one day, but
you may as well reach Kraplewo or Brzydowo on the first day – you can quickly return
to Ostróda along a Yellow Trail from both towns. The next day, you can continue the
trip from one of the above-mentioned villages. Another possibility is to shorten the
route by covering the first couple of kilometres to Stare Jabłonki or Samborowo by
train. In the first case, it’s possible to skip an almost 11 km, not particularly interesting,
section of the trail from Ostróda to Stare Jablonki; in the second – we would miss
19 km of predominantly forest paths and roads around Drwęckie Lake.
Around 43 km of the total distance is serviced by surfaced, primarily asphalt
roads. However, these are routes with very light traffic, except for a short
stretch just beyond Samborowo (circa 1 km), constituting busy, national highway no. 16. The remaining part of the route goes along unsurfaced forest and
field roads and paths. An especially difficult stretch, in terms of orientation,
is between Stare Jabłonki and Szyldak.
Level of difficulty: medium to difficult.
Places to see along the trail:
• Ostróda – a city located by Drwęckie
Lake, with the Drwęca River flowing into
it, was founded next to a castle built by the
Teutonic Knights. Initially it was a wooden watchtower, established circa 1270 at
a place known as a pagan Prussian settlement. In 1329 the settlement around the
castle received town privileges. It's name
is derived from the settlers who arrived
here from Osterode am Harz, the Harz
Mountains in Germany. Ostróda constituted an important national movement
centre of the Mazury region – it was here
that Parson Gustaw Gizewiusz protected
Polishness. Since the 19th century the town
has also been a popular tourist centre
and fulfils the same role today, after having been rebuilt from the devastation of
World War II.
Walking along the promenade next
to Drwęckie Lake, we encounter a Teutonic castle 61 standing amidst the Ostróda pier,
photo J. Pruszyńska
greenery on the north-western side of the Old Town. From the defense system
erected for the Ostróda commanders between 1349–1370, 3 out of 4 wings of
the main building have been preserved. A fire destroyed the fourth wing along
with the tower in 1788. There is a Cultural Centre and a Regional Museum in the courtyard of the building (ul.Mickiewicza 22,
phone: +48 89 64626602, [email protected]). The cas- The divided lake
tle was rebuilt after 1945 and is decorated with picturesque Just before Stare Jabłonki the trail leads along the embankwooden galleries. Apart from the castle, it is worth seeing ment of the Ostróda-Olsztyn railway line. Down to the right,
the Gothic Church of St. Dominic 62 from the early the waters of Szeląg Mały Lake can be observed. Before the
construction of the railway, the lake constituted merely
15th century, in which Parson Gizewiusz preached his sera southern bay of the long, ribbon-type Szeląg Lake which
mons in the 19th century. Adjacent to the church, there is once stretched amidst Taborskie Forests over an area of
a part of the medieval city walls. Drawing attention on the almost 16 km. However, in 1873, the said railway line was
square of the Millennium of the Polish State (Pl. Tysiąclecia opened, and a long and wide embankment split the reservoir into Szeląg Wielki (Great Szeląg) and Szeląg Mały (Small
Państwa Polskiego) is a fountain from the year 2004, called
the Monument of European Unity 63 founded in Szeląg) Lakes. There are roads running along both sides of
1907 as the Fountain of the Three Emperors who ruled the embankment; below 50 m navigable tunnel passes, connecting the two lakes and forming part of the Ostróda Canal.
the German Empire since 1871. Another reminder of the
early twentieth century is the Bismarck Tower 64 .
19
Manor house in Kraplewo,
photo J. Pruszyńska
36, 37
This 10 m high building, made of stone, was dedicated to Chancellor Otto
von Bismarck, who led the German unification of 1871. It was established as
a first among many such buildings constructed in the region at that time.
• Szyldak – in the park on the northern side of the village situated on
the busy national highway no. 7, there is a 19th century eclectic manor
house 65 . Its curious shape with two towers and a glass veranda is covered
with a mansard roof. In the park you can find the grave of the last pre-World
War II owner of the residence, General von Nebelschutz. Behind the palace
there is a vast farmland, now occupied by
a plant breeding centre.
• Kraplewo a village by a small lake situated near the picturesque Dylewo Hills (a
red bike trail starting at this point leads
to the Hills). When entering the village
from the direction of Szyldak, there is
a manor house dating back to the
2nd half of the 19th century 66 and
expanded at the beginning of the last century. It once belonged to the Prussian von
Wien family and now it serves as a guest
house. Slightly further, on the opposite
side of the road there is a Methodist
Church 67 dating back to 1848, built in
a Neo-Gothic style with timber framing. Inside we will find items and furnishings typical of the epoch, and some galleries. Next
to the temple we can see an old wooden
bell tower constructed of poles.
• Czarne (Black) Lake – a small lake
hidden among the forests on the northern shore of Drwęckie Lake. The trail
runs along the banks of the reservoir consisting of a floral reserve of almost
10 hectares. Shallow water, up to 6 m deep, houses the extremely rare Merlin's
grass, creating a belt, a couple of metres wide, along the shores of the lake.
Besides this, there are many other protected species of aquatic plants here.
The Four Bridges Trail
Route: Łukta – Komorowo – Pelnik – Łęguty – Grazymy – Wynki – Łukta; 24.5 km
A restful, back-road trip among woods and along the lake shores in the eastern
part of the Iława Lake District. Covering the trail loop, one crosses Pasłęk River
4 times. The river is known as the most important beaver refuge in Poland.
Simple monuments in small sites on the way and the possibility to swim in
the lakes are a nice diversion for your trip.
The trail leads mostly along non-asphalt roads, partly hardened and paved,
partly unsurfaced. Only about 1.5 km of the trail is a very busy asphalt road
from Łukta to Olsztyn through Pelnik village.
Level of difficulty: easy.
20
Places to see along the route:
• Łukta – a communal village on the
Łukta River (also called Łukcianka) in the
north-eastern part of the Iława Lake District, well-known for its original, little Gothic
church. The Church, dedicated to St.
Catherine 68 was reportedly in existence
as far back as 1279, although it is known that
the village itself was founded in 1340, and
its name comes from the old Prussian word
lucte (rush). The church, which still exists,
is a brick building dating back to around
1407. Its construction was supported by the
Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, Ulrich
von Jungingen, who also took part in its
consecration. A single-nave building was
renovated in the mid-nineteenth century.
It has stepped peaks with pinnacles and
an interesting tower – its lower floors are
made of brick. A wooden tower covered
with an onion-shaped dome made of shingles was added to the top of the structure
in 1816. Inside there is a late Renaissance
altar and a commemorative plate from the
early 17th century.
• ‘Ostoja Bobrów’ Reserve – the
Pasłęka River in almost all its entirety forms
a nature reserve (beaver refuge), and is
protected as the main habitat of beavers in
Poland. The whole reserve covers an area of
over 4,249 ha. In the area of Łukta village it
includes not only the river and a narrow strip
of land alongside, but also a wide, almost
1 km stretch of forest on the eastern side of
the river (between Pelnik and Gamerki) as well as the lakes of Isąg and Łęguty. The
Pasłęka River, near the Suwałki Region, was the last place in Poland inhabited by
beavers after WWII. Those aquatic/marsh mammals first appeared in Pasłęka accidentally, as refugees from a farm; they belonged to the species from Canada, unlike
the European beavers from around the Black Hańcza River in the Suwalki region.
Now, thanks to beaver protection in the reserve on the Pasłęka River, the beaver
population has rapidly increased and are now present in many parts of Poland.
• Łęguty – a small village on the Łęguty lake upon the Pasłęka. Here you can see the
now closed Evangelical church 69 of 1737–1738 and a surrounding cemetery.
• Grazymy – a picturesquely situated tiny village with an imposing Neo-Baroque palace from 1924 70 , currently occupied by the Home of Social Assistance. The walls of the basements of an older mansion built in the early 16th century
were used during the construction. The trail behind the village leads to the forest
along a beautiful lane of lime trees, recognized in full as a natural monument.
Church in Łukta
dedicated to St. Catherine,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Beaver,
photo iStockphoto.com
21
37
Amber Trail
Route: Nidzica – Radomin – Orłowo – Likusy – Jabłonka – Wikno – Zimna Woda
– Więckowo – Módłki – Bartoszki – Nidzica; 53 km
The amber trail trekking route allows us to explore the vast forest called
Puszcza Napiwodzko-Ramucka, extending up to Szczytno. Signs lead cyclists
to the vicinity of some interesting natural reserves and the big Omulew Lake
from which flows the Omulew River toward Narew as its tributary on the right
side. The trail also includes historical relics from various periods, the most
interesting of which are the monuments of Nidzica itself.
The route runs mostly on asphalt roads but also unsurfaced forest roads.
Most sections of the route are very rarely frequented, and only a short section
runs on a busy road from Nidzica to Wielbark.
Level of difficulty: easy to moderate.
Places to see along the route:
• Nidzica – the city is located near the former border between Prussia and
Mazovia. Centuries ago, it housed the Prussian tribe of Sassen. In 1268 the
Teutonic Knights erected a wooden and earth fort here which, with time, was
changed into a stone castle. The town was built next to a religious stronghold,
and due to its frontier location it was often attacked during the many PolishTeutonic wars in the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1656 the Tartars, allied with
Poland, invaded Nidzica. Battles and destruction swept through the village
during Napoleon's campaign in 1807 and during both world wars.
A testimony to the power and wealth of the Teutonic Order in the frontier areas was a brick castle 71 . The fort was built on a hill between
1370 and 1407. Its view is now obscured by tall trees. The main gate to
the castle is located on the eastern side – first enter the courtyard in the
ward (part of the castle's defense) surrounded by a defensive wall with
a low cylindrical tower in the corner. Over the ward stand some corner
towers erected on a square plan and a central tower with the gate to the
main castle. The entrance leads into the courtyard with wood-concrete
galleries reconstructed after World War II. The castle rooms are used as
a hotel with a restaurant and a local cultural centre including a small
Museum of the Land of Nidzica (Nidzicki Ośrodek Kultury, ul. Zamkowa 2, phone: +48 89 6250370, email: nidzickiosrodekkultury@poczta.
fm, www.nok.nidzica.pl).
Below the castle hill stretches the old town, where most buildings were
destroyed in 1945. A neoclassical town hall from the 19th century 72 and some tenement houses in the eastern frontage have survived to
this day. Nearby stands St. Adalbert's Church from the 14th century 73 ,
rebuilt after 1914 in the neo-Renaissance style. Once, there were defensive
walls around the old town. Only two parts have survived to this day with
two 14th century towers. Once, the string of fortifications also included the
so-called Klasztorek 74 (today it houses the State Archives), a Gothic
building with a remnant of a tower from the 14th century.
22
• ‘Jezioro Orłowo Małe’ Reserve – near the trail behind the village of Orłowo, you can find Orłowo Małe Lake
among forests. Reed-covered shores and the silty bottom
of a rather shallow (up to 2 m) reservoir is favoured by mud
turtles – very rare in our country. The animals sometimes
leave the water on the south-western shore, where they
can bask in the sun. There is a viewing platform from where
we can spot them.
The reservoir, along with part of the surrounding forest,
is a natural fauna reserve (called “Jezioro Orłowo Małe”) co­
vering 4.5 ha. Founded in 1958, it was the first place for the
protection of turtles in Poland. You can reach it by walking
down the marked trail from Orłowo through some picturesque woodlands, moraine hills with numerous springs,
and ponds scattered here and there.
• Omulew Lake – this large, H-shaped moraine lake is
almost completely surrounded by woods, except for the
north-western bank, along which stretch the villages of
Wikno, Jabłonka and Natać Wielka. The lake, of over 7 km
and an average width of 1 km, is part of the trail along the
Omulew River.
• ‘Koniuszanka II’ Reserve – right beside the trail
where Omulew disgorges itself into a lake and crosses
Łyna’s Sources
In the woods near the village of Łyna, 3 km west of Orłowo, the Łyna River has its source.
Then it flows north through the entire province of Warmia and Masuria and joins the
Pregel River in Russia. The Łyna River comes from the plenteous, clean springs located
in the vast valley and numerous canyons shaded by a deciduous forest. An interesting
phenomenon is a strongly marked backward erosion which causes constant shifting of
the well-heads towards the watershed line up the valley. The springs and the surrounding forest are protected as a nature reserve named after Prof. Roman Kobendza, and
cover an area of 120 ha.
Łyna River, photo GEP Chroszcz
the Koniuszanka River, extends a nature reserve with an area of 64.5 ha. It
covers a part of the old mixed forest with numerous trees (as many as 78),
including huge oaks and 200-year-old pines. The Koniuszanka River,
flowing through the reserve, is very clean and forms a short picturesque
gorge between the moraine hills. The reserve is easily accessible with
a hiking path of an instructive nature. A little further extends the remote
Koniuszanka I Reserve with a rare phenomenon of suffosion (washing
away of sediment grains by ground waters) within the sandy postglacial
sandur. In the reserve, as a result of the phenomenon, the Napiwodzka
Stream disappears under the ground then flows back up to the surface
2 km distant from Koniuszanka. The river is a habitat for beavers and
rare birds called dippers, which like swift streams. The white stork lives
in the surrounding wild forests.
Brick castle in Nidzica,
photo GEP Chroszcz
23
38
Red Frontier Trail
Route: Sępopol – Liski – Judyty – Szczurkowo – Ostre Bardo – Stopki – Długa
– Sępopol; 33 km
A short trip through smaller villages on the Sępopolska
Plain. Silent, forgotten villages with small churches and
residences of the Prussian nobility are places rarely visited by tourists. Low traffic makes it possible to travel
smoothly all day through a quiet rural landscape.
Almost the entire route goes along asphalt roads with
very little traffic, and the 3.5 km stretch between Kolonia
Skitno and Judyty runs on concrete slabs arranged along
the route of a former railway line.
Level of difficulty: easy.
Sunset during excursion,
photo iStockphoto.com
Ostre Bardo
– Greek Catholic church,
fig. RS
24
Places t see along the route:
• Sępopol – the city at the confluence of the Łyna and
Guber Rivers was formed in a place where once existed
a fortified Prussian castle, later destroyed by the Teutonic Knights. In 1351 some monks founded a town in
the bend of the Łyna River, using its natural defensive
qualities. The town was soon surrounded by walls and
a moat connecting Łyna with Guber placing the town
on an island.
In the bend of Łyna stands the Gothic Archangel
Michael's Church 75 built between 1360 and 1400.
It has a high square tower built in the main nave of the
building and the interior is of a Gothic stellar vault. The furnishings are
Baroque. Behind the church, you can see a former Gothic tower rebuilt into
a residential house and a short section of the city walls.
• Liski – in the former court buildings 76 of the noble Lieskewang
family (hence the name of the village), who resided in the area from 1425
until the 18th century, there is now a large stud. For a long time during the
post-war years it was the biggest stud in Poland, and the horses from Liski
had numerous sporting successes.
• Judyty – in this small village stands an imposing 19th century palace
of the von Kunheim family 77 , which was a place of large estates,
including many surrounding villages, up until WWII. Most interesting are
the life-size bronze lions placed next to the palace, purchased in 1889 in
Paris during the great world exhibition.
• Szczurkowo – a village founded in the 14th century; in 1945 it was
crossed by the boundary between Poland and the Kaliningrad Oblast,
then belonging to USSR (now Russia). In the Polish part of the village a substantially rebuilt manor house from the 19th century 78 remains.
Szczurkowo is primarily known for one of the largest colonies of white
storks in the Warmia and Mazury.
• Ostre Bardo – a small village in the vicinity of the Russian border.
There is a late-Gothic church from the early 16th century 79 that
until 1945 (for almost its entire existence) served the Lutherans. It was
built with field stone and brick. It has an additional wooden tower to
the west. After the expulsion of the Germans, many Ukrainians from the
area of the Bieszczady Mountains settled here. Today, the temple serves
as a Greek Catholic church.
Red Trail through the area of Jeziorany
38
Route: Jeziorany – Kostrzewy – Krokowo – Lekity – Kalis – Ustnik – Wójtówko
– Jeziorany; 18 km
The trail makes a loop on the west side
of Jeziorany. It runs through the hilly
areas of the Olsztyn Lakeland, mainly
among the fields and meadows, crossing only a small forest. Along the way
you will be expected to ride some
steep inclines. The route goes partly
on asphalt motorways with low and
medium traffic, but for around half of
the distance you will need to take unsurfaced roads.
Level of difficulty: moderate.
Places to see along the route:
• Jeziorany – a small town founded in 1338 by the bishops of Warmia, who
had the castle erected. The result is a two-winged Gothic fortress from the
14th century, surrounded by peripheral walls; a small ward was adjacent to the
structure. In the 17th century, the bishops of Warmia ordered the construction
of two new wings, turning the fortress into a Baroque mansion with Italianstyle gardens. The demise of the castle came in 1783, when the building was
struck by lightning; a disastrous fire destroyed the entire city on that occasion. Shortly thereafter, on the foundations of the main western wing, a new
building, intended for local authorities, was erected. Today it houses the city
council offices. Only the 3 m thick Gothic stone walls remain of the western
ground floor, with cellars and remnants of the corner tower.
In the main market square stands St. Bartholomew's Church 80 .
You can enter the temple through the gate of the Baroque bell tower, from
the 18th century. Behind it, rising above, is the high tower of the church, built
after 1345 with a 3-nave hall as its main body and a Gothic-style presbytery.
The interior of the temple, with a stellar firmament, boasts a recently renovated pipe organ from the 17th century.
• Ustnik – a small village on Ustnik Lake was once part of a vast estate
held in the hands of some powerful families from Prussia. At the beginning
of the 20th century the property was divided into two parts, therefore the
two neglected mansions 81 stand in close proximity.
Trail among fields,
photo iStockphoto.com
Jeziorany – St Bartholomew’s church,
fig. RS
25
Just behind the village extends a reserve called Ustnik, which includes
Ustnik Lake and a wet pit, north of the basin, amounting to 32 ha in all.
There is lush, rush vegetation and the reserve is a nesting place for many
species of water birds – despite the small size of the lake, 25 species make
nests here and another 25 make a stop during their flight.
• Wójtówko – a village on the Symsarna River, about 2 miles west of Jezio­
rany. There is a large farm 82 there with numerous buildings and a small
park containing a restored mansion from the early 20th century 83 .
38
The Red Bike Trail
through the area of Dobre Miasto
Route: Knopin – Glotowo – Nowa Wieś Mała – Praslity – Smolajny – Międzylesie
– Barcikowo – Knopin; 34 km
Kalwaria Warmińska in Głotowo,
photo GEP Chroszcz
The trail makes a loop around Dobre Miasto. Varied landscapes, green forests
and interesting views encourage calm and unhurried trekking. From there
we will reach the route along the yellow bike trail to Głotowo or Knopin, or
the blue trail through the woods east of the city.
The road leads almost exclusively through unsurfaced roads with only
small parts of the ride taken on asphalt motorways.
Particular caution should be exercised in the section
above 0.5 km next to Smolajny, where the trail leads
along national road No. 51.
Level of difficulty: moderate.
Places to see along the route:
• Głotowo – in the village stretching along by the
valley of the Kwiela River you can see a large Baroque
brick church 84 built between 1722 and 1726. It replaced an older and smaller church insufficient for the
numerous pilgrims who visited the place, as Głotowo
has been a popular pilgrimage place since the 14thcentury. Due to frequent visits in the early 18th century it
was necessary to build a new temple (already mentioned). In the second half of the 19th century, Kalwaria Warmińska 85 was built in the wooded
valley to the east of the church. It resembled the topography of Jerusalem and its Stations of the Cross.
The believers of the whole Diocese of Warmia participated in the work. Then a complex of 14 chapels
(Stations of the Cross) 86 was erected, along
with the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Chapel
of Prayer in Gethsemane.
• Smolajny – the village is divided into two broad
valleys with the meandering river Łyna. In the western
part of the village, called the Smolajny-Estate, there
26
is a beautiful palace, a former summer residence of the bishops of
Warmia 87 . The Baroque building was
founded by Bishop Adam Grabowski,
1741–46. It replaced an older mansion,
which already existed in the 15th century as an administrative centre for the
bishops' wealth in this part of Warmia.
Around it there is a park with beautiful
old trees. The area around the tower can
be entered through a gate in the annexe.
The creation of the park was mainly driven by the next bishop of Warmia, a famous poet called Ignacy Krasicki, who
spent much of his time in Smolajny. Now,
the carefully maintained palace and park
is the Agricultural School.
• Międzylesie – in the eastern part of
the village, by the road from Dobre Mia­
sto to Jeziorany, a few hundred metres from the trail a Baroque pilgrimage
church 88 was built between 1752 and 1753. At that time large numbers of
Warmia’s believers made their pilgrimage there, where at the beginning of
the 18th century the crucifix was insulted.
Green trail ‘In the Orzysz Switzerland’
Forest path,
photo iStockphoto.com
39
Route: Orzysz – Grądy – Danowo – Stoczki – Ublik – Cierzpięty – Matyszczyki
– Zastrużne – Wężewo – Okartowo; 33 km
A picturesque hilly land, interspersed with small lakes and green forests
was the reason why, in the late 19th century, the area in the north-west of
Orzysz was called ‘Szwajcaria Orzyska’ (Orzysz Switzerland). It is worth taking the cycling trail. On the route there is some arable land; large sections
run between forests and lake shores. The trail ends in Okartowo, close to
Orzysz, however, the only road connecting the village is the busy national
highway no. 16.
The trail runs almost exclusively on unsurfaced roads with short sections
on asphalt roads or paved roads.
Level of difficulty: moderate to difficult.
Places to see along the route:
• Forest Lakes – in the forests to the north of Orzysz the trail goes close
to a few smaller lakes – Kieplin (aka Kęplaste), Przylesie and Błękitne (aka
Łazduny). Leaving the trail for a moment and stepping down to their banks,
you can see some interesting aquatic vegetation. In many places along the
mesotrophic (medium fertile) reservoirs the plants make what is called a pło.
It is a thick layer of floating aquatic plants, such as poisonous cowbane or
mud shield fern, where the remnants of other plants are deposited. Reeds
27
Shelter remains in Cierzpięty,
photo GEP Chroszcz
38
grow over time, and then there may
even be trees (mostly black alder). Pło is
very tricky, as there is some water under
the layer of vegetation. Sometimes parts
break off and form floating islands.
• Cierzpięty – a village at the southern end of Lake Buwełno, founded in
the late 15th century. From the former
estate remains the majority of grange
structures 89 forming a quadrangle
of buildings together with a mansion
from the second half of the 19th century.
Near the village, in the forests between
the lakes Tyrkło and Buwełno, there are
some remains of shelters and
fortifications 90 of the Giżycko
Field Position Fortification from WWI. On the opposite, north-western side of
Cierzpięty, is a large nature reserve called ‘Nietlickie Bagno’. Huge wetlands
have been partially drained, but are still an excellent habitat for many rare
species of animals, including numerous birds like cranes, European eagles
and lesser spotted eagles. Beavers and moose also live there.
• Okartowo – a small village on both sides of the isthmus connecting
Śniardwy Lake with Tyrkło Lake. Over the strait, linking the two reservoirs,
there is a rail bridge and a road bridge. In the part of the village on the
western side of the channel, there is a church 91 from the late 18th century built in place of an older temple from circa 1500. Its current shape is
largely a result of reconstruction after the ravages of WWI. Its interior – the
ceiling and galleries – are decorated with beautiful murals, painted during
the reconstruction of the church. In the village there are also the ruins of
bunkers from WWI and WWII.
Places to see along the route:
• Kotowo – just behind the village, the road and trail go down into the deep
valley of Łyna. Steep slopes are crossed by narrow ravines of small streams.
Just above the bridge on the way, you will see a small concrete dam with
a hydroelectric power station 92 . It was completed in 2010 and forms
a small bay on the Łyna River.
• Morawa – before reaching the village, the road goes around the former
landscape park from the western and southern side. The park surrounds
a rundown 19th century manor house 93 . Behind the park, part of the
grange buildings of the local estate can be seen.
• Stoczek Klasztorny – dominating over the buildings of a village founded in the mid-14th century, there is a Baroque church. It is the major part of
a ­monastery 94 which was built in place of a forest shrine erected in 1622 and
dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In 1639–41 Mikołaj Szyszkowski, the bishop of Warmia,
founded a church in the form of a dome covered with a large rotunda. Inside there
is a copy of the painting of the Virgin Mary, called the Mother of Peace, imported
from Rome from Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica. A few years later the temple was
settled by the Bernardines. At the beginning of the 18th century an extended presbytery, church tower and galleries, surrounding the entire foundation with the
dome corner chapels, were built. The interior retains some valuable features of
late Baroque, and the whole monastery is currently under the care of the Marians.
There is a small museum chamber, dedicated to Primate Stefan Wyszyński, imprisoned there by the Stalinist authorities in the period 1953–54 (Zgromadzenie Księży
Marianów [Congregation of the Marian Fathers], Stoczek Klasztorny 30, phone: +48
89 7660911, email: [email protected], www.stoczek.pl).
Blue Trail
through the area of Lidzbark Warmiński
A long journey from the battlefield in
Grunwald lets us reach unfrequented
areas, and the railway line of Ostróda
– Olsztyn. The trail leads through small
villages, but in the middle of the route
you can stay in Olsztynek and continue
your journey through large forests before reaching your destination.
The route runs mostly on asphalt
roads with medium or low traffic, and
some shorter sections of hardened
roads or forest tracks. Sometimes, you
may have some orientation problems,
especially on the section between
Mańki and Pęglity.
Level of difficulty: easy to moderate.
Route: Lidzbark Warmiński – Koniewo – Budniki – Kotowo – Morawa – Napraty
– Stoczek – Klasztorny – Kierwiny – Sarnowo – Lidzbark Warmiński; 32 km
An interesting loop of the trail leads through the gentle countryside northeast of Lidzbark Warmiński. Besides the monuments of the town itself, the
biggest attraction is the beautiful post-Bernardine church and monastery in
Stoczek Klasztorny. The trail traverses vast farmlands. There are only small
villages on the route. The initial section runs along the valley of Łyna, then
some slightly undulating plains of the Sępopolska Lowland.
The route is mainly on asphalt motorways (more than half of the length
of the route), and other hardened roads, including concrete slab. The traffic is
minimal except for short sections at the exit and entrance to Lidzbark Warmiński.
Level of difficulty: easy.
28
Green Trail
Trail in Stoczek Klasztorny,
photo GEP Chroszcz
On a bike among forests,
photo iStockphoto.com
37
Route: Grunwald – Stębark – Mielno – Królikowo – Olsztynek – Mańki – Pęglity
– Łajsy; 39 km
29
The Grunwald battle monuments,
photo J. Pruszyńska
Open-air Ethnographic Museum
in Olsztynek,
photo D. Zaród
30
Places to see along the route:
• Grunwald battlefield – a gently curved agricultural land between the villages of Grunwald, Stębark and Łodwigowo. On 15 July 1410
it became a battleground for the forces of the Polish-Lithuanian-Russian
armies of King Jogaila (Jagiełło) and Teutonic troops led by Grand Master
Ulrich von Jungingen. On the 550th anniversary of the battle, 1960, the
Victory Monument of Grunwald 95 was placed near the road from
Grunwald to Stębark. It consists of a stone obelisk with relief faces of the
knights and 30 m masts with metal banners symbolizing the knights' flags
of the allied armies. Do not miss the small Museum of the Battle of
Grunwald 96 (Stębark 1, phone: +48 89 6472227, email: grunwald@
muzeum.olsztyn.pl, grunwald.warmia.mazury.pl; the museum is open
only from May to September).
On the battlefield to the south-west of the monument you can see the
foundations of a Gothic chapel 97 built in 1411 by the Teutonic
Knights. Among the ruins of the chapel and the monument there is a stone
indicating the spot of the alleged death of the Great Master; a little farther
away from the monument (to the south-east) rises the
Jagiełło Mound 98 , the most likely position of command of the Polish king in the first phase of the battle.
• Olsztynek – a town at the crossroads of some important trade routes, founded in 1359 next to the Teutonic
castle 99 and erected eight years earlier. Two modified wings of this fort remain to this day and currently
house a school. Next there is a former Gothic church
from the 14th century 100 , now a showroom of the
Museum of Folk Architecture. Behind the temple, added
to the preserved segment of city walls, there is a Gothic
house, the birthplace of Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz, a well-known 19th century linguist, philosopher and
preacher meritorious for his studies on the Kashubia region. In the Gothic house there is an exhibition dedicated
to Mrongowiusz, and a branch of the Museum of Folk
Architecture 101 .
The main attraction of Olsztynek is an open-air
Ethnographic Museum 102 (Muzeum Budownictwa
Ludowego – Park Etnograficzny, ul. Leśna 23, phone: +48
89 5191542, email: [email protected], muzeumolsztynek.com.pl; open from 15 April to October).
It lies on the north side of the town in an area of 96 ha.
The museum contains numerous artefacts of rural architecture from the whole region, both original buildings
moved from various villages and copies of others. Among
them is the reconstruction of a wooden church from nearby Rychnów
with recreated valuable murals. You should also see Amalang, a recently
reconstructed early-medieval village of Prussia.
• Mańki – in a village lying on the broad, mid-forest glade rises a stone
church from the end of the 17 th century 103 and expanded in 1770.
This modest building has been made more attractive thanks to a wooden
tower with an upper floor (overhanging floor), topped with a tented roof
of shingle. Inside, parts of the Baroque furnishings have been preserved.
Green trail through Stare Juchy commune
40
Route: Stare Juchy – Zawady Ełckie – Gorłówko – Stare Juchy; 15 km
An excellent trail for a short, quiet but scenic tour around the Ełk
Lakeland. On the trail, there are two lakes, several small forests
and a small, sleepy town.
The trail runs along asphalt roads and paved road with very
little traffic.
Level of difficulty: easy.
Places to see along the route:
• Stare Juchy – in the village there is a church from the
16th century 104 , in which the facilities include a Renaissance
altar and pulpit from the late 16th century and an organ from 1772.
About half a km east of the village is the yellow walking trail; you
can use it to get to the great erratic boulder 105 . The huge
stone in the Middle Ages reportedly served as a sacrificial altar of
the pagan Yotvingians. Blood (called ‘jucha’ by the Yotvingians)
running down from the slaughtered animals was the source of
the town's name [Stare Juchy means ‘old blood’].
• Łaśmiady Lake – less than a km from Stare Juchy the trail
and the road to Zawada Ełcka go lead towards the bay which
constitutes the western edge of the large Łaśmiady Lake.
The bay is sometimes referred to separately as Ułówki Lake.
Łaśmiady is one of the largest reservoirs of the Ełk Lakeland,
with an area of 1,060 ha. It combines the features of a kettle
landform lake and finger lake, reaching a significant depth
of almost 44 m. Over the water, it is usually calm. The lake is
included in the silent zone.
Yellow trail Gołdap – Popioły
Route: Gołdap – Jabłońskie – Włosty – Juchnajcie – Sokoły – Rożyńsk Mały
– Ziemiany – Skaliszkiejmy – Klewiny – Kruki – Żabin – Rapa – Mieduniszki Wielkie
– Skaliszki – Wydutki – Popioły; 60 km
A long walking trail, also accessible to cyclists, links the areas of Gołdapia with the
Land of Great Mazury Lakes. It leads through the areas rarely visited by tourists,
along the Polish-Russian border, through small villages and large forests. Along the
way, you can see some original attractions and enjoy the unspoiled countryside.
The trail leads along various types of roads: asphalt, cobblestone, hardened
and partially unsurfaced roads.
Level of difficulty: moderate to difficult.
40
On a trail,
photo GEP Chroszcz
Sunset by the lake,
photo D. Zaród
31
Bunker remains in Gołdap,
photo GEP Chroszcz
32
Places to see along the route:
• Gołdap – furthest to the north-east
lies a town originating only from the second half of the 16th century. The town,
as the only one in the region, has the
status of a spa. Gołdap boasts one of
the largest markets in Masuria. In the vicinity of the great square is St. Mary's
Church 106 . The late-Gothic church
from the 16th century has a high and
massive tower crowned with Gothic
archivolt rooftops. The history of the
city and region can be learnt through
visits to the Museum of the Land of
Gołdap 107 (ul. Partyzantów 31, phone:
+48 87 6150545, email: [email protected]), which
displays the collection of a local enthusiast, Mieczysław Ratasiewicz, whose
name is included in the name of the facility. The collections cover the following subjects: geological, ethnographic and military. An unusual attraction at
Gołdap’s is the possibility to enter the 46 m high historic water tower
from 1905 108 (ul. Paderewskiego 35, phone: +48 87 6151515, email: info@
wieża-goldap.pl, www.wieza-goldap.pl; open from April to September).
• Piękna Góra [Beautiful Mountain] – south of Gołdapia extends
a picturesque land of the Szeskie Hills. The largest hill near the town is Gołdap
Mountain, also known as Piękna Góra (277 m above sea level), which is located about 4 km south of Gołdapia. The trail passes by its western foothills.
A number of wind turbines can be seen around it; the summit is crowned with
a panoramic café with a rotating floor. Gołdap Mountain is not only an excellent vantage point, but above all, a winter sports resort. Five ski lifts were built
on its slopes, including a chair lift (Piękna Góra inn and ski station, Rudziewicz,
Konikowo 11, phone: +48 87 6154943, email: [email protected], www.
zajazd-rudziewicz.pl.)
• Rapa – a small village about 30 miles west of Gołdapia and just 2 km south of
the border with the Russian Kaliningrad Oblast. By the road from Masurian Banie
there is the amazing Prussian tomb of the von Fahrenheid family 109 .
It is not like any ordinary graves or shrines seen in local cemeteries, it is more like
the Egyptian pyramids. The tomb is in the form of a high, almost 16 m, pyramid,
built on a square plan with 10 m sides. The building was designed by a famous
sculptor and architect of Neoclassicism, a native Dane, Bertel Thorvaldsen. The
first to be buried there, in 1811, was the three-year-old daughter of Friedrich von
Fahrenheid, the founder of this peculiar structure.
• Mieduniszki Wielkie – a small town upon the Węgorapa River, 5 km west
of Rapa and just 3 km south of the border with Russia. In the 19th century, the
village belonged to the von Farenheid family, the owners of Rapa and other villages. On the edge of the park remain the neglected ruins of a neo-Baroque
palace 110 , erected in the period 1920–22 by the then owners of Mieduniszki,
the family of Schmidt von Altenstadt, in place of an older mansion which had
burned down. The front of the palace had a triangular tympanum above the
central projection; at the back – a large terrace supported
on Ionic columns. The building was neglected after WWII by
the management of a state-owned farm (PGR). In 2004, fire
destroyed most of the roofs, and since then the abandoned
building has rapidly decayed.
• Skaliszki Forests – a vast and wild forest between the
Gołdapa River to the south and east, and the Węgorapa River
to the west and partly to the north. Pine forests predominate
here, but mixed forests are also present. Together they cover
8,700 ha. Moose, wolves and lynxes live among the swamps
and backwoods. Otters and beavers occupy the rivers. Avifauna is represented by cranes, black storks, the predatory
European eagles and ospreys. The yellow trail passes through
forests between Mieduniszki Wielkie and Popioły.
• Brożajcki Canal – a water route flowing through
Skaliszki Forests and connecting Węgorapa with Gołdapia.
The canal was dug in accordance with the design by John
Suchodolec in 1733 and renovated a hundred years later.
Today it is only available to canoes. The muddy channel, populated by beavers, is very picturesque. In some places a deep trench cuts through the small
moraine hills. The trails follow the forest road along the southern part of the
channel, and also past a destroyed sluice.
‘Large Mrągowo Loop’ Trail
Węgorapa River,
photo GEP Chroszcz
39
Route: Mrągowo – Nikutowo – Wierzbowo – Żabieniec – Jakubowo – Nowy Probark
– Probark – Czerwonki – Tymnikowo – Mrągowo; 29,4 km
A good route for a quiet bike ride, which allows you to explore Mrągowo
surroundings abundant in finger lakes.
The trail runs, with shorter sections, on asphalt roads. Most of its course goes
along unsurfaced roads or roads hardened with break stone, paving stone or
concrete slabs. Roads with very little traffic predominate. Only in Probark you
will need to cycle on the busy national highway no. 16 for about 300 m.
Level of difficulty: moderate.
Places to see along the route:
• Mrągowo – This district town boasts an extraordinary location, surrounded by numerous lakes. The main part of Mrągowo stretches along the shores
of a finger lake (Czos Lake). Opposite the town, on the Four Winds Peninsula,
lies a high moraine hill called the Mount of the Four Winds (180 m above sea
level). Mrągowo was set up next to a Teutonic castle built in the 14th century,
of which no trace has remained until today. In the 15th century the village,
known as Ządzbork until 1947, gained urban rights with a typical urban setting and a market.
In the centre of Mrągowo stand numerous old tenement houses 111 ,
mainly from the 19th century. In the centre of the market rises a Classicist
town hall 112 with a clock tower, now housing the Regional Museum
Along field paths,
photo iStockphoto.com
33
(Museum of Warmia and Masuria in Olsztyn, a division in Mrągowo, ul. Ratuszowa 5,
phone: +48 89 7412812, email: mragowo@
muzeum.olsztyn.pl, muzeum.olsztyn.pl/
muzeum-w-mragowie). Nearby stands
a one-storey house of half-timbered wall,
what was called the Bosnians Guardhouse 113 , with a small exhibition devoted to the German writer Ernest Wiechert.
The main city temple is a large neo-Gothic
church of St. Adalbert's.
Do not miss the amphitheatre 114 at the north-eastern part of the
prome­nade circling Czos Lake. It is here
that the events known throughout Poland, the Mrągowo Country Picnic and
Borderland Culture Festival, are held. The
southern suburbs of Mrągowo have something for the fans of military technology:
The Museum of Military Equipment 115 (ul. Przemysłowa 11C, phone:
+48 502540381, email: info@muzuem.
mragowo.pl, www.muzeum.mragowo.pl).
• Czos Lake – A finger lake (279 ha).
Mrągowo's buildings are set on its northern, north-eastern and western banks.
The lake consists of two branches: the initial part of the trail runs along the western shore of the larger western branch;
the last section of the route runs over the
banks of the eastern branch, and then
winds down towards the northern end of
the basin. This part of the lake is the deepest with a depth of more than 42 m.
• Wągiel Lake – A small (176 hectare) lake with a varied coastline, much of
which is forested. Along the eastern shore runs the boundary of the Mazury
Landscape Park. The biking trail leads its way through Wierzbowo to the settlement of Żabieniec along the north-eastern part of the basin. Although the lake
is part of the gully which holds Czos Lake, it is shallow, reaching a maximum of
about 13 m. In Wierzbowo there are some convenient places to access the water.
Mrągowo promenade,
photo D. Zaród
Czos Lake,
photo D. Zaród
39
Sorkwity Forests Trail
Route: Mrągowo – Lasowiec – Gązwa – Stama – Młynik – Bałowo – Pustniki – Stary
Gieląd – Sorkwity – Bagienice Małe – Lasowiec – Mrągowo; 34,30 km
Hiking down the trail enables you to both see some interesting sights and
enjoy the wildlife of the Sorkwity Forests between Sorkwity and Mrągowo.
You can also relax by the large Gielądzkie Lake.
34
The Gązwa Reserve
In the heart of the Sorkwity Forests, which are crossed by the trail, there is a peat bog reserve
(204 ha). It contains a vast peat bog, overgrown by a swampy forest with patches of raised bog.
There are parts of spruce forests, growing on peat, with numerous specimens of old trees. The
characteristic bog vegetation is subject to protection, which includes peat-land, with black
crow-berry, marsh cranberry, ordinary bog, boggy blueberry and two interesting species of
insectivorous plants (sundews).
The trail runs mostly on unsurfaced roads or gravel and
ballast roads, although large sections run also on asphalt
roads. These are no routes of heavy traffic, except the national
highway no. 16 in Sorkwity (a few hundred metres).
Level of difficulty: moderate to difficult.
Places to see along the route:
• Mrągowo – see. p. 33.
• Gieląd Lake – a large lake (444 ha) on the Mrągowo Lakeland; the trail goes almost around the entire basin. You can
stop at a small beach in Młynik. The lake reaches a depth of
27 m and is crossed by the Krutynia canoe trail (its initial section). Silence zone is in effect here.
• Sorkwity – a large village situated on an isthmus between Gieląd and Lampackie Lakes connected by a small
river. The village was founded in 1379. Sorkwity, belonged
to several families of the Prussian aristocracy for centuries.
The time of greatest splendour for the local estate was
during the period of the von Mirbach family ownership
(1804–1921).
The trail runs next to the historic Evangelical
church 116 , built at the turn of the 16th / 17th centuries. A low
whitewashed structure of a crude solid figure, with halls inside, is enriched by semi-circular windows and a low tower of
a square plan. Inside there is a late-Renaissance altar, pulpit
and collator benches bearing the coats of arms of the village
owners.
South of the biking trail, on a short section leading
along national road no. 16, extends a well-kept park by the
shore of Lampackie Lake. There is a large Neo-Gothic
palace 117 in the park. Built by the von Mirbach family
in 1850–1856, it was modelled to represent the English style for buildings,
according to the then prevailing Prussian fashion. Great interiors with a rich
collection of valuable furniture and works of art were destroyed by fire in
August 1914, just before the battle of Tannenberg. The new owner – baron
Bernard von Paleske – rebuilt the palace which remained in the hands of his
family until 1945. After the war the building served as the local state-owned
farm (PGR), and was later changed into a resort. Since 1998, the new owner
of the mansion has been active in its careful restoration and now it houses
a hotel and a restaurant.
Neo-Gothic palace in Sorkwity,
fig. RS
Evangelical church in Sorkwity,
fig. RS
35
I
A
22
Piele
Jachowo
J. Głębokie
Żelazna
6 7
Głębock
Góra
507
8
9
Zalew
Grzędowo
510
504 Stępnień
Zakrzewiec B
Wiślany
Frombork
an Wyszkowo
54
ów
Narusa
Lipowina
ka
Szyleny
507
Krzekoty Lelkowo
Tolkmicko Chojnowo
Bledkowo
19 20
Białczyn
21
Piotrowiec
4 5
Krzyżewo
Kadyny
Dorocin Tolkowiec
Dębowiec
Pęklewo
Jędrychowo
Suchacz Pogrodzie
Wysoka
Płoskinia
Braniewska
J. Pierzchalskie
Pluty
Łęcze 17 18
22
Rychnowy 505
503
Łajsy
512
Pakosze
Próchnik
504
506
Kurowo
Łoźnik
15 16
Nowe
Pieniężno
Braniewskie
Różaniec
Batorowo Krasny Las Ogrodniki
Batorowo
Róbno
Nowakowo
507 Radziejewo
Długobór
Stare
Milejewo
Wielkie
Kępa
Lechowo
Młynary Siedlisko Księżno
Kwietnik
Glebisko
Rybacka Bielnik II
Młoteczno
Braniewo
Klonowo
Dwór
P
Wilczęta
509
see p. 5
2 3
Gronowo
Elbląskie
7
S K I E
A W
I Ł
J. Gil
Wielki
P
M
O
E
K I
R S
Kreki
Wielki Dwór
Sadławki
51
Bądki
Sałkowice
Kwitajny
Zielonka
Pasłęcka
Chojnik
Markowo Wąs
ka
Złotna
Wilamowo
49 50
Jędrychówko
Jarnołtowo
519
519
Raj
Morąg
Bramka
Włodowo
Świątki
Boguchwały
J. Narie
Brzydowo
Kretowiny
Ględy
Żabi Róg
Florczaki J. Morąg
J. Długie
Komorowo
Łukta
68
J. Isąg
Pupki
Jonkowo
527
Boleszyn
22
Turza
Mała
J. Lidzbarskie
541
W
kra
Olsztynek
99 100 101 102
Królikowo
Kiersztanowo
Kurki
Witramowo
see p. 29
ca
wę
Dłutowo
Stare
Sarnowo
Wysoka
545
Radomin
Bartoszki Więckowo
71 72
73 74
Purgałki
544
Brodowo
Kanigowo
Módłki
604
Grabowo
Jastrząbki
see p. 22
Janowiec
Kościelny
Wiłunie
Bartki
Krokowo
Jabłonowo-Maćkowięta
Napierki
Białuty
0
Narzym
Petrykozy
Zalesie
Niedanowo
DZIAŁDOWO
Niechłonin
Zimna
Woda
Orłowo
Zagrzewo
545
Klęczkowo
Księży
Dwór
Jabłonka
J. Omulew
Wikno
NIDZICA
Łysakowo
Kozłowo
Prioma
58
Likusy
538
Płośnica
J. Gim
Maróz
Mielno
J. Mielno
Dziurdziewo
Butryny
Nowa
Kaletka
J. Pluszne
J. Maróz
537
542
Chaberkowo
J. Łańskie
Łutynowo
Pawłowo
Ulnowo
Turza
Wielka
Gródki
Nowa
Wieś
J. Ustrych
Pluski
Sękowo
544
Nowy
Dwór
598
Gryźliny
7
Uzdowo
Wielki
Łęck
Kaborno
Muchorowo
Stawiguda
Zawady
95 96
97 98
Jeleń
Słup
Kolonia
Bryńsk
Mańki
Elgnówko
Koszelewy
see p. 7
J. Wulpińskie
Grunwald
Wel
541
Klonowo
Pęglity
O L S Z T Y Ń S K I E
Stębark
Prusy Grzybiny
Lidzbark
Rezerwat
„Obrazik”
53
51
Pacółtowo
Frygnowo
Klebark
Wielki
J. Klebarskie
Szczęsne
J. Linowskie
16
J. Sarąg
103
a
Pis
Wójtowo
OLSZTYN
J. Dąbrowa
Turowo Januszkowo Frąknowo
Mała Dąbrówno
Osiekowo
Dobrzyń
J. Dąbrowa
7
Rumian
J. Kownatki
Wielka
Gardyny
Rączki
Wądzyn
Szkotowo
Nid
Rybno
Ruszkowo
a
Kiełpiny
Zalesie
Marwałd
Rynek
Mroczno
K O E
I
W S
K U J A
S K
O R
- P O M
Dr
Osa
36
538
Mroczenko
Pelnik
J. Tabórz
O
Tarda
Wrzesina
Jerzwałd
P Boreczno
530
54
Rynowo
Wynki
Kamieniec
J. Giława
J. Płaskie
Miłomłyn
J. Karnickie
Szeląg
Łęguty
Gietrzwałd
J. Szeląg
Karnity
Grazymy 69 531
Siemiany
Wielki see p. 20
521
70
Łajsy
I E
Olbrachtowo
K
Susz
Liwa
J. Jeziorak W S
Pęglity
16
J. Gil
Januszewo
A
Stare
Rogowo
OSTRÓDA Lubajny Jabłonki
I Ł Sąpy Wielki
Ulnowo
J. Sarąg
61 62
J. Drwęckie
Guzowy
Czerwona
521
Piotrkowo
63 64
Samborowo
Piec
Woda
J. Ostrowin
Tynwałd
Mańki
J. Jeziorak
Szymbark Starzykowo
16
55
Brzydowo 66 67
Elgnówko
Ząbrowo
Turznica
Szyldak
Rudzienice
Kraplewo
Smykowo
Kisielice
Gałdowo
Gierłoż
65
Zawady
see p. 18
IŁAWA Dół Gromoty
Naprom
Olsztynek
Rychnowo
Laseczno
7
56 57 58
Lipowo
J. Iławskie
59 60 536
542
Królikowo
see p. 14
515
520
7
Zwiniarz
Grodziczno
Nowe Gołogóra
Kawkowo
Giętlewo
Napromek
Jagodziny
Tuszewo
Kuligi
Kalisty
Skolity
530
527
Ruś
541
Mortęgi
Guzowy
Piec
Gierzwałd
537
Lubawa
Konradowo
Dylewo
a
Naterki
65 Szyldak
542
Złotowo
Wilczkowo
J. Wuksniki
Ponary
Łączno
Sambród
Jaśkowo
Jurki
Byszwałd
69
Łajsy
Szczepankowo
J. Wadąg
Dywity
Wadą
g
Łyn
J. Ukiel
70
Stare
Jabłonki
Różnowo
Gietrzwałd
Rychnowo
Naprom
527
J. Giłwa
Łęguty
Grazymy
66 67
Glaznoty
Rogiedle
Wynki
61 62
63 64
Wiśniewo
Jonkowo
Wrzesina
531
Gady
J. Mosąg Brąswałd
Wołowno
J. Isąg
OSTRÓDA Lubajny
Pietrzwałd
15
Grabowo
593
J. Miłdzie
528
see p. 2
Małdyty
Z
E Śliwa
Strużyna
see p. 18
Rożental
530
P O J E Z I E R Z E
Pupki
Pelnik
J. Szeląg
Wielki
Turznica
Gierłoż
Smykowo
Wel
J
Głodówko
Miłakowo
Łukta
Lichtajny J. Ostrowin
Ornowo
Dr
wę
Brzydowo
ca
Kraplewo
Lipowo
J. Tonka
Gudniki
Liwa
16
Lubomino
Komorowo
see p. 20
Frednowy
Gromoty
Wapnik
Lesiska
Surowe
Klonowo
Wenecja
Dwór
52
Bożęcin
J. Ruda
Zalewo
J. Ewingi
E Woda Słonecznik
Z
R
Liksajny J. Bartężek
Dobrzyki
I E
53
Rodągi
Skowrony
507
528
Szeląg
7
Samborowo
513
Opin
Drwęczno
a
łęk
527
Godkowo
513
527
Dobry
Miłomłyn
Rogowo
J. Drwęckie
Bażyny
Orneta
J. Tabórz
Karnity
s
Pa
Wąska
Pasłęk
Krzewsk Kanał
Różany Markusy
Elbląs
ki
Wiśniewo
44
Dzierzgonka Jelonki 526
Zwierzno
47
Nowe Dolno
45
Marwica Krasin
Kępniewo
Brudzędy Stare Dolno
Dymnik Rychliki
Święty Gaj
46 Kwietniewo
1
Bągart
Lepno 48
O
Osiek
Łukszty
509
ka
22
505
Słobity
łę
Pas
Wikrowo
Borzynowo
Wiktorowo
Raczki
Przezmark
42 43
Elbląskie
Jegłownik
Tropy J. Druzno Bogaczewo
J. Taftowo Henrykowo
Chwalęcin
Gładysze
J. Morąg
Tarda
Gołogóra
530
Florczaki
Ruś
J. Długie
Rynowo
J. Karnickie
W
ał
ELBLĄG
7
Pomorska
Wieś
527
68
sz
a
ka
Pasłę
Janowo
Adamowo
Ględy
Żabi Róg
J. Bartężek
Jaśkowo
Boreczno
Sąpy
Bramka
Bożęcin
E
E R Z
Z I
Słonecznik
J E Liksajny
O
Kretowiny
Raj
Łyn
a
S
J. Ruda
Woda Wenecja
Łyna
N
10 11 12
13 14
519
Nida
Różaniec
S
ko
tów
ka
Gronowo
U
Sz
10 km
R
Pasłęka
0
Gronowo-Mamonowo
Nowa
Pasłęka
10 km
N
Dźwierznia
Iłowo-Osada
E C
W I
Z O
A
M
K
I E
37
Kwiatowo
Kandyty
Wałsza
Dębowiec
Pluty
Kamińsk
512
Lubianka
512
Janikowo Pieszkowo
Miłkowo
Mingajny
Koniewo
Miejska
Wola
Kaszuny
513
Runów
Wolnica
Opin Bieniewo
87
Maków
Kochanówka
Smolajny
Ły
n
a
a
łęk
s
Pa
Brąswałd
Jonkowo
Łabędnik
Korsze
Bajdyty
51
Różnowo
Ustnik
Kalis
Lekity
Franknowo
see p. 25
Lamkowo
Mnichowo
593
Wójtowo
J. Luterskie
Kolno
593
Tejstymy
Górowo
Kominki
Kabiny
596
J. Legińskie
Łężany
J. Tejstymy
Kostrzewy
Kronowo
Barczewko
Barczewo
Pisa
Bęsia
57
Węgój
Wipsowo
J. Dadaj
Ramsowo
Rukłaki
16
Kromerowo
590
Szymanowo
Czerwonka
Stare
Włóki
Łapka
J. Wadąg
Dywity
Wadą
Kaplityny
g
Mołdyty Reszel
Unikowo
Wągsty
Wójtówko
Jeziorany
80 J. Ławki
Krokowo
590
Pleśno
Wojkowo
Troszkowo
Prosity
82 83
Suśnik
Grzęda
594
Polkajmy
Żegoty
81
Bisztynek
Kiwity
Czarny
Kierz
51
Praslity
593
Dobre
J. Blanki
Miasto
Wilczkowo
Międzylesie
Nowa
88
Wieś Mała
593
Knopin
J. Sunia
Studzianka
Głotowo
Jesionowo
Konradowo
84 85 86
530
Barcikowo
Świątki
Kalisty
J. Limajno see p. 26
Frączki
Nowe
Cerkiewnik
Włóki
Różynka
Skolity
P O J E Z I E R Z E
Tuławki
Godki
Kierwiny
Kłębowo
Piotraszewo Mitogórze
Jarandowo
J. Symsar
Zagony
Kosy
Paluzy
Wozławki
Warmiany
513
Stoczek
Klasztorny
Sarnowo
see p. 28
Gronowo
Krawczyki
Galiny
94
LIDZBARK
WARMIŃSKI
Łaniewo
Różyn
Pupki
Napraty
Sątoczno
Różyna
57
Bobrownik
Bukwałd
93
Bugi
Szeląg
507
J. Tonka
Rogiedle
Bzowiec
a
Łyn
Lwowiec
75
Sępopol
see p. 24
592
Kotowo
Morawa
Dzietrzychowo
Lusiny
51
92
Lipica
Bredynki
R Z E
Z I E
J E
O
Sadowo
P
Biskupiec
Sorkwity
Zabrodzie
Rodele
J. Rydzówka
Stawki
J. Przystań
Surwile
J. Sileckie
Radziszewo
WĘGORZEWO
Srokowo
K R A I N A
Stręgiel
63
J. Święcajty
J. Stręgiel
Piławki
Małe
Gębałka
Kuty
Stręgielek
J. Mamry
a
g
zo
Ro
Rybnica
ka
38
Ogródki
650
a
Pis
Łyn
a
527
Równina
Barciany
Saduny
Podławki
Jerut
Maradki
J. Pisz
Kobułty
J. Tumiańskie
J. Pierwój
Rasząg
J.
Umlag
Wójtowo
Rozogi
Giedajty
J. Ukiel OLSZTYN
Monkiny
Labuszewo
Jedzbark
J. Stromek
Skajboty
Leszno Rumy
16
Klebark
W S K I E
Wielki
G O
Prejłowo
Rybno
Gietrzwałd
R Ą
M
J. Klebarskie
Targowska
600
Sąpłaty
Naterki
Łajsy
Szczęsne
Giławy
Pajtuny
Wola
J. Serwent
Kałęczyn
J. Linowskie
57
Pęglity
Purda
Bartąg
J.
Rańskie
Dźwierzuty
J. Wulpińskie
Kaborno
Rańsk
Targowo
53
J. Sarąg
Marcinkowo
Muchorowo
Grzegrzółki
51
Olszewki
598
Mańki
Stawiguda
J. Kalwa
Dąbrowa
Miętkie
Jabłonka
Nowa
Pasym
J. Łęsk
Wieś
J. Sasek
O L S Z T Y Ń S K I E
Nowe
J. Kośno
Wielki
J. Leleskie
58
Kiejkuty
J. Ustrych
Przykop
Kopanki Tylkowo
J.
Gromskie
Gryźliny
J. Marksoby
Trelkowo
J. Łańskie
Leleszki
Wrzesina
Parys
Wilkowo
Wielkie
Jakunówko
Szczeciniak
Tarławki
J. Wilkus
Winda
Olszynka
Harsz J. Pozezdrze
Sztynort
Łankiejmy
Przerwanki
Duży
Pozezdrze
Radzieje
Nowa Siniec
Krasnowo
Garbno
Stara
J. Dargin
Łabapa
592
Suśnik
Różanka
J. Gołdopiwo
Różanka
Jeżewo
Tołkiny
Mazany
Jeziorowskie
Pieczarki
W
I
E
L
K
I
C
H
Gnatowo 591
63
Pilwa
Babieniec Linkowo
Kruklanki
Czerniki Gierłoż
J. Dobskie Fuelda
590
KĘTRZYN
Spytkowo
J. Kisajno Świdry
Tolniki
33
Biedaszki
Boćwinka
Klewno
34 35
Małe
Doba
Pierkunowo Antonowo Pieczonki
Karolewo
Żywki
Reszel
Wajsznoty
Kwiedzina
Kamionki
Pieckowo
Sulimy J. Kruklin
GIŻYCKO
Sławkowo
J E Z I O R
Mnichowo
Martiany
27 28 29
594
36
32
J. Dejguny
Święta Bezławki Pręgowo
J. Wydmińskie
Grajewo
593
Owczarnia
Lipka
J. Kławój
31
596
Wilkasy
592
Sucholaski
J. Dejnowa Wilkowo
Salpik
Nakomiady
Samławki
Szczybały
Upałty
J. Niegocin
Leginy
Giżyckie
Siedliska
Gronowo
Pilec
Ruda
591
J. Guber Jeziorko
Koczarki
J. Legińskie
Kleszczewo
Knis
M
A
Z
U
R
S
K
I
C
H
Staświny
Rydwągi
Budziska
Szczepanki
Łężany
Skop
Rydzewo
Krzyżany
656
Tros
J. Kiersztanowskie
Miłki
Boże
Ryn
Burszewo
Paprotki
Kozin
Słabowo
Kiersztanowo
Czyprki
30
Rudówka
590
Wyszembork
63
see p. 8
Malinka
J.
Juno
Jagodne
642
Z
I E R Z E
E
59
Rybical
Szestno
P O J Zyndaki
Prażmowo
J. Ublik
J. Sałęt
Marcinkowa
Ławki
J. Jagodne
J. Ryńskie
Wielki
Gązwa
Wola
Zalec
Szymonka
Bałowo
Surmówka
Ublik
MRĄGOWO
Stama
J. Szymon
J. Buwełno
Pustniki
Laowiec 111 112 113 Tymnikowo
Górkło
Danowo
J. Tałtowsko
643
Użranki
Cierzpięty
114 115
J. Gielądzkie Młynik
Jora
89 90
Zasłużne
Stoczki
J. Czos Czerwonki
Stary
16
Wielka
Woźnice
Matyszczyki
Bagienice Bagienice
Gieląd
J. Juksty
J. Orzysz
Drozdowo
Faszcze J. Tałty
16 Małe
Grabówka
Sorkwity 116 117
Nikutowo
Tałty
J. Tyrkło
Probark
see p. 34
Grądy
Chmielewo Wężewo O
Baranowo
Nowy
J. Lampackie
rz y
Wierzbowo
J. Łuknajno
16
sza
Probark
Kamionka J. Lampasz
91
Tuchlin
Mikołajki
Krzywe
Orzysz
Jakubowo
Dziubiele
Okartowo
Rozogi
Zełwągi Prawdowo
see p. 27
J. Piłakno Grabowo
Mojtyny
Wierzbiny
Stawek
Żabieniec
Nowe
J. Stromek
J. Krzywe see p. 33
609
J. Mikołajskie
Gudy
M R Ą G O W S K I E
59
J. Gardyńskie Wierzba
Gudynki
Rybno
J. Śniardwy
Dłużec
Piecki
Kwik
600
Popielno
Iznota
Bobrówko
Grądy
610
Kozłowo J. Białe
J. Białoławki
Głodowo
J. Bełdany
J. Babięty
Zdory
Nawiady
Cierzpięty
J. Kocioł Dziękałówka
Wielkie
J. Warnołty
Ba Gant
63
Niedźwiedzi
Gałkowo
ba Machary
Rostki
Prusinowo
Onufryjewo
nt
Róg
J. Rańskie
Krutyń
J. Seksty
Wygryny
601
Pilchy
Wejsuny
Jeleniewo
Ukta
J. Nawiady J. Mokre
Karwik
Szczechy
Ładne Pole
J. Roś
J. Jegocin
Jeglin Małe
Babięta
Miętkie J. Krawino
Duży
Wojnowo Ruciane-Nida
58
Maldanin
Zgon
Łupki
J. Łęsk
58
37
J. Zyzdrój
Orłowo
58
Snopki
J. Zdrużno
Marksewo
Wielki
Kocioł
PISZ
J. Skarp
Duży
Szeroki
J. Marksoby
Koczek
58
J. Brzozolasek
Pranie
Bór
Wiartel
Jagodne
Piasutno
38
Stare
Mały
J. Świętajno
Guty
Spychowo
Szymki
J. Wałpusz Jerutki
J. Pogubie
Borki
Świętajno
J.
Nidzkie
Wielkie
Świętajno
Liski
59
Kolonia
Olszyny
Karwica
Pogubie
Bogumiły
Jeruty
Uściany
Kumielsk
Borki
Średnie
Płozy
see p. 11
Rozoskie Faryny
53
Tu
Wawrochy
Filipki
r
o
Turowo
śl
Ciesina
Nowe
Małe
Anuszewo Pogubie
Kokoszki
Tylne
Czajki
Niedźwiedzie
Turośl
63
IE
Hejdyk
Występ
K
Kwiatuszki Kowalik
Zdunowo
Wały Gawrzyjałki
S
Karpa
Kilimany
Wielkie
A
Jeże
E
Spaliny Małe
Wilamowo Rozogi
K I
Lipowiec
Spaliny
C
N
I E
Klon
Wielkie
Orzeszki
M A Z O W
53
Zawojki
0
10 km
Sarkajmy
Długa
Kinkajmy
Osieka
Korsze
Stopki
Radosze
Drogosze
Glitajny 590
N
Ostre
Bardo
76
BARTOSZYCE
Tolko
Rodnowo
Jagoty Budniki
Lechowo
Gołogóra
Borki
Wajsnory
Judyty
77
Liski
Wojciechy
511
Radziejowo
Lubomino
Barciszewo
Wiewiórki
see p. 13
Glądy
Żydowo
Kiertyny
512
Małe
Wojmiany
511
Paustry
Górowo
Iławeckie 39 40
Zięby
51
Solno
Bykowo
L
Gałajny
Czyprki
Lelkowo
79
78
Kałwągi
D
Pareżki
Szczurkowo
Piersele
Toprzyny
10 km
A
O
Sągnity
Sigajny
0
P
41
510
Łoźnik
I
Krutynia
Giębock
Żywkowo
S
r
Kiwajny
S
Bezledy-Bagrationowsk
Gu
be
U
Ły
na
R
Piele
39
Ołownik
Budzewo
Więcki
Budry
Kaczorówko
Skaliszki
109
Banie
Mazurskie
Popioły 650
Piławki
Radziszewo
Małe
Ziemiany
Ziemianki
GOŁDAP
Skaliszkiejmy
Juchnajcie
Sokoły
Włosty
Surminy
Lisy
Kierzki
Grodzisko
Zawady
J. Gołdap
106 107 108
Kruki
Rapa
Ściborki
Wydutki
Gołdap-Gusiew
A
Rożyńsk
Mały
Czarnowo
Wielkie
Żytkiejmy
Budwiecie
ka
i an
110
I
dz
Dąbrówka
S
S
Mieduniszki
Wielkie
Żabin
Bł ę
U
R
651
I N A
A P Y Błąkały
R A
S Z E S K I E K
O R Dubeniki
G
Stańczyki
Kolniszki W Ę J. Czarne
Jabłońskie
Wronki Kozaki
Wielkie
W Z G Ó R Z A
650
see p. 31
Czarne
Górne
Degucie
Białe
Jeziorki
Babki J. Bitkowskie
Pogorzel Żelazki
Siedlisko Nasuty
Golubie Dorsze 65
J. Stręgiel
Dunajek Wężewskie
Kowale
Kuty
Szeski
Stręgielek
Oleckie Drozdowo
Jabłonowo
J. Wilkus
Jakunówko
Wężewo
Czerwony
J. Krzywa
J. Pozezdrze
Dwór
Szarejki Monety
Kuta
Pozezdrze
Żabinka
Zawady
Pilewki
Lenarty
Przerwanki
J.
Szwałk
Kiliany
Oleckie
J. Czarne
J. Piłwąg
J. Gołdopiwo
Wielki
Borawskie
Walisko
63
Jeziorowskie
Stożne
Dąbrowskie
Cichy
Zamoście J. Łaźno
Kruklanki
Golubki
Borki
Babki
Mazury
Możdżany
Spytkowo
J. Litygajno
Oleckie Szczecinki
Gryzy
Lipowo
Olszewo
Rogajny
J.
Żywy
Sedranki
Pieczonki Boćwinka
J. Długie
Raczki
Żywy J. Łękuk Orłowo
Duty
J. Romoły
Zalesie
Wielkie
J. Sołtmany
Sulimy J. Kruklin Żywki
J.
Dobskie
655
OLECKO
Szczybały
Urbanki
Sołtmany J. Gawlik
Dobki
Orłowskie Wronki Dunajek
Krupin
J. Wydmińskie
P
Wojnasy
O
Pietrasze
Świętajno
Rosochackie
Upałty
655
Markowskie
J
Mazuchówka Czarnówka
Sulejki
Kije
Giże
Wieliczki Wilkasy
Ełk
Siedliska
Szczecinowo
J. Niegocin
Olecko
Cimochy
Wydminy
Zajdy
Dudki
Małe
Gorłówko
Kleszczewo
J. Szóstak
Sobole
E
J. Kukowina
Szeszki
Gąski
J. Wojnowo
Wierzbowo
Wężówka
Zawady
Czyprki
Dorsze
Miłki
J. Przytulskie Zatyki
Stare
Ełckie J. Krzywe
661
Juchy
J.
Łaśmiady
Malinka
Kijewo Puchówka
Przytuły
104 105
J.
Pamer
656
Marcinkowo
Marcinowa
see p. 31 Piaski J. Zdrężno
Stare
Iwaśki
Wola
Talki
J. Ublik
65
Milewo
Krzywe
Malinówka
Wielki
Płociczno
Golubie Zaborowo
Bałamutowo
J. Białe
Chełchy
J.
Haleckie
Zelki
J. Buwełno
Pańska
Okrągłe
Miłuki
Grabnik
Kalinowo
Wola J. Dobrzyń
16
63
Przykop
Woszczele
Lega
Krzyżewo
Cierzpięty
Skomack
Skomętno
Golubka
Małkinie
Rogale
Sędki
Siedliska
Wielki
Pianki
Wielkie
J. Selmęt
Chrzanowo
J. Orzysz
J. Skomętno Dudki
J. Tyrkło
Szeligi Wielki 25 Laski Wielkie
Borzymy
Różyńsk
EŁK
Or z
Sordachy
26
J. Druglin
ysz Orzysz
Buczki
Stożne
Strzelniki
J. Ełckie
a
Łoje
Romoty
Duży
Koziki
Wężewo
J. Szarek
Mrozy
Makosieje 23 24
J. Rostki
J. Białe
Klusy
Stacze
Wielkie
Sypitki
Giże
Skrzypki
16
Malczewo
J. Śniardwy
Brodowo
Wierzbiny
J. Lipińskie Mostołty
Laski Małe J. Krzywe
J. Przepiórka
see p. 7
63
J. Kępno
Nowe
J. Stackie
Nowa Weś
Żelazki Wiśniowo
Gudy
Gaudynki
J. Zdedy
Krzywe
Ełcka
Ełckie
Ełk
Bajtkowo
Gorzekały
Kopijki
Bemowo
Lipińskie Dąbrowskie
J. Bałoławki
Niekrasy
Piskie
Małe
wka
667
łó
ka
ę
J. Kocioł
zi
Krzywińskie
D
Nitki
Ostrykół
Pogorzel
Miłusze
Wielka
Szczechy
Rostki
k
Taczki
e
Prostki
Czyprki
Małe
ięc
Zalesie
Św
IE
65
Pilchy
Dybowo
Zydlągi
K
S
J. Roś
A
Myszki Różyńsk J. Dybowskie Gorczyce
L
Wielki
Ruda
D
Łupki
P O
Dmusy J. Skrodzkie Marchewki
Orłowo
Kruszewo
Kocioł
J. Borowe Tarachy
PISZ
Duży
Lisy
0
10 km
Jagodne
58
Biała Piska
Myśliki
Skarżyn
N
Stere Rakowo
Kożuchy
Włosty
Piskie
Guty
63
Kukły
Łodygowo
Bełcząc
58
Główka
P
O
D
Gębałka
I E
S K
L A
E
Z
IE
R
Z
Ł
K
a
Leg
E
C
IE
a
Pis
40

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